Keep your pet healthy this Christmas
Part II

In part one we looked at the surprise dangers some foods present to animals, particularly at Christmas when there is plenty of the 'good stuff' around. In part II, we're looking at the dangers not necessarily associated with the Christmas celebrations, rather the time of year. 

The sheer heat of the summer in WA is a risk to all animals, including your pets. Dehydration and heat stroke are the major perils facing animals and it's not just companion animals. Sheep, horses, cattle... they all need the basics:

• Water: Lots of it and in multiple receptacles just in case one is broken or tipped over. Ice cubes are also a good idea. 
  Shade: It may seem obvious but our Inspectorate see lots of animals left in a field or a yard with absolutely no shade from the scorching heat. This can lead to various issues, including sunburn (see images attached of a dog whose ears are burnt) and in some cases, death.
  Food: An animal's metabolism increases in the heat so adequate feed in a sheltered area is a must.

Responsible pet ownership means checking your pet's welfare regularly. The RSPCA has witnessed multiple cases where animals are left tethered in the hot sun and become knotted in the rope/line, often resulting in a slow and lingering death.

The Society is also concerned about the number of dogs that are left for long periods of time and become caught in the picket fences that are so common in neighbourhoods all around WA. The attached image shows what can happen to dogs who try to get over these picket fences and become stuck.

Checking your pet's welfare regularly is imperative if you want to avoid the consequences our Inspectorate see all too often.
Observe the 4-steps at Christmas and throughout the summer to keep your animal healthy.

1        Check your animal regularly. You never know what difficulty it might be in
2        Water must be available at all times. Provide several receptacles, just in case.
3        Food must be available and in a cool place
4        Shade is so important. Imagine how you would feel if you were exposed to the sun for hours on end with no shade. 

Remember too that dogs, cats, ferrets will all die in a hot car, EVEN if there is water provided for them. Don't leave any animal in a hot car, even if you roll the windows down. Another car-related danger is the ute. Dogs' paws become severely burnt if they are put on the back of a ute with nothing to protect their sensitive pads. If it's a hot day, it means the aluminium surface at the back will be hot, so put something like a blanket or even a few bits of cardboard down to stop your mate getting his paws scolded.

And finally, please don't exercise your dog in the hot sun. Dogs cannot regulate their body temperature very well so try to do any running after sunset or before the day starts warming up.

 

To read part 1, click here.