Keep your pet cool

The heat is on and it is time to get your pets ready for the hot months ahead. The season brings unique risks to your dog’s health that have to be kept in mind all through the summer days.

According to Dr KG Umesh of Mars India: “Dogs can’t perspire like humans and can dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. This is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.”

What are the symptoms that one should look for in case the pet has a heatstrokeIJ Dr Anil Sood, Petaids Veterinary Centre in Jangpura says: “lethargy is the first symptom, as is vomiting. But if the pet goes untreated, more severe symptoms appear like blood in the stool and loose motions. Dogs are prone to dehydration as well during this season. Slightly pull at the skin; if it doesn’t retract, it is dehydrated. In such situation the pet should be taken to the vet immediately.”

Vets tell you that it is important to feed pets during the cooler part of the day. “Dogs spend more energy in an effort to lower the body temperature during periods of increased panting. The energy requirement increases with the rise in temperatures and therefore, it is important that they eat more but because their intake reduces they should be compensated by feeding energy dense foods,” Dr Umesh tells you.

But one should avoid giving processed and packaged foods to pets. “These have lot of fat and while it is suited for colder climate, it is not good for dogs who live in tropical countries like India. Instead give your dog plenty of proteins like curd, rajma and daal. For meat, it should not be more than 300 gm a day,” Dr Sood advises.

Dos & Don’ts

• Never leave your dog unattended in a car. Heatstroke and death can occur within minutes of being exposed to warm temperatures. Make sure the crate is ventilated; put sunshade on car windows; bring fresh water and a bowl; park your car in a shade.
• Your pet needs lots of fresh water during the summer, so check her water bowl to be sure it’s full.
• Dogs tend to eat less in summer but they end up spending more energy in an effort to lower their body temperatures. It is very important that whatever food you give them contains more water (70-80%).
• Keeping your pet well groomed.
• Remove cushiony bedding from your dog’s crate or bed. They’ll be comfortable lying on cooler bottom.
• Exercise is important, overdoing it can cause it to overheat. Save exercise for early morning or late evenings.
• This is that time of the year when dogs are tempted to drink cold water from toilet bowls. Keep the lid down.
• Animals shouldn’t be left outside on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible.