Heat Wave Alert: Do’s And Don’t To Look After Your Pets or Stray In Harsh Summer

Heatwave in India:  Worsening climate change, the ineffectiveness of the La Nina, and temperatures soaring above the forty-degree mark only in April is not news to anyone now. The current summer is going to test the limits of the people and planet alike. While we cannot reverse the damage caused in a day, we sure can take adequate measures to ensure our survival and our wordless furry friends get easier. 

Be it a pet or a stray, animals experience the brunt of the soaring temperatures and humidity as much as humans. So as we near the predicted harsh side of the summer, make a list of all the necessary do’s and don’ts to keep your animal friends safe and cool.   

Do’s to help animals during heat wave

Hydrate 

Do keep clean and cool water accessible to your pets and the stray animals around you. Make sure you keep the water bowls for strays in the shed and regularly change the water to avoid contamination.

Turn of the AC/Fans

For your pets indoors, ensure they are under the fan or AC during the hot weather especially during peak hours so their internal body temperature is regulated. 

Temporary Shelters

If you live around stray animals, you can create temporary sheds for them to stay in the shade during high temperatures or let them stay in your gardens or balconies to avoid the heat. 

Water-based diet  

Make sure you reduce carbohydrates and complex proteins because they require more time to digest and produce more body heat. Switch to a water-based, and cooling diet including curd, rice, and more.

Bath or wet cloth wipes 

If your animals are allowed to be bathed, bathe them to bring their body temperature down or simply wipe their body and paws with a wet cloth or towel. 

Reduce exercise 

Make sure pets or strays are not spending their time running or playing outside, especially during the afternoon. Reduce their exercise time, and opt for light walks during cooler times of the day like early mornings or evenings 

Trim 

Animals with thick fur coats can be trimmed to help them with the heat. Take advice from your vet before trimming them.

Don’ts to help animals during heat wave

Do not take your animals out for running errands in extreme heat. 

Do not lock them inside of cars as they heat up rapidly to cause troubles to their health. 

Don’t move away from your parked vehicles without checking if any animals are taking shelter under them.

Do not offer junk food to strays as it can affect their digestive system during summer.

Do not take your pets for walks in the afternoon especially from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Do not ignore the signs of heat exhaustion or heat-related illness in the animals that usually include excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums, anxious behavior, increased water consumption, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, incoherence, weakness, collapse, or seizures.

Do not use muzzles or avoid them as much as possible.

Do not take risks with your safety as heat can make animals irritated or agitated. So do not provoke them. And if you think they are in distress contact for help from animal organisations or vets.