Vets’ urgent warning to ALL dog owners this summer as they reveal room in your home could prove deadly to pets
VETS have issued an urgent warning to all dog owners this summer and have revealed the room in your home that could prove to be fatal for your beloved pooch.
The advice comes as the Met Office has predicted a heatwave is set to sweep across the UK this week with temperatures expected to hit 31C.
Pet owners have been warned though not to leave their furry friends in uninsulated conservatories during the hot weather.
The warning comes as figures from Conservatory Insulations show a third of homeowners use their conservatories for their pets.
While these sunny spaces can be enjoyable for our furry friends, the Met Office and British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned that they pose significant risks to animal safety during hot weather, particularly without the correct insulation.
The BVA warning published on the Met Office site says: “Never leave your pet inside a car or conservatory, even for a quick trip to the supermarket, as ‘not long’ can prove fatal.”
Temperatures inside an insulated conservatory can rise to 40C, which can be hotter than California’s notorious Death Valley, yet two-thirds of 25 to 44-year-olds revealed their pets use the space more than they do.
Every summer, vets treat pets for heat-related conditions like heatstroke, breathing problems and burnt paw pads.
Dogs are most often affected and even on overcast days, conservatory temperatures can soar rapidly and become dangerously hot.
Cutting-edge technology from Conservatory Insulations, known as CHRIS, can help your conservatory stay cool by reflecting 95 per cent of direct sunlight so the temperature can be controlled throughout the year.
The six-layer quilt and technology is researched and developed by NASA for use on the Space Shuttle.
Matt Forrest, Managing Director of Radcliffe-based Conservatory Insulations, said: “Insulating your conservatory is the easiest way to make sure you and your pets can still enjoy the space when the temperatures outside skyrocket.
“Every uninsulated conservatory is a problem – they are too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer.
“Our team of experts developed our unique CHRIS insulation system to provide a solution to conservatory heating and cooling concerns.
“The unique insulation system utilises materials with properties to control the temperature, keeping your pets safe no matter the weather and allowing you to use the space all year round.”
It comes as dog owners were told they faced a hefty £5,000 fine for letting their pooch hang out of their car window.
The advice in full
Advice from the British Veterinary Association
Summer can be a wonderful time of the year, with time spent outside enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather.
However, like us, our pets are also vulnerable to heat-related problems and illnesses.
Each year, vets see pets suffering from heat-related conditions like heatstroke, breathing problems, burnt paw pads and sunburn.
Dogs lead the pack in the number of cases vets see, followed by rabbits and cats.
Even on overcast or humid summer days, cars and spaces like conservatories can quickly heat up and our pets can be at risk of overheating.
If you’re concerned about any animal, always speak to a vet as quickly as possible. Heat-related illnesses can be fatal but early intervention can save lives.
The British Veterinary Association has some top tips on how to keep our pets safe in hot weather.
Check access to water and shade
- Make sure that all pets, from dogs and cats to birds, rabbits and guinea pigs, always have access to fresh water to drink, adequate ventilation, and shade from direct sunlight.
- Never leave animals in cars, conservatories, outbuildings, or caravans on a warm day, even if it’s overcast or just for a short while, as this can be fatal for them.
- Provide pets with a cool mat and fan and keep frozen water bottles covered in towels in their living space. For rabbits and guinea pigs, you can provide extra shade by covering the top of wire mesh runs with damp towels. Lightly misting rabbits’ ears with cold water is also an effective way to help cool them, as long as this doesn’t stress them.
- Don’t forget the wild animals that visit our gardens – keep out a bowl of fresh, clean water for wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs.
Keep dog walks to cooler times of the day
- Dogs won’t stop playing and running if it is hot, so it’s up to owners to take action to prevent them overheating. This includes making sure they aren’t walked or exercised in the middle of a hot day. Stick to early morning or late evening walks when its cooler.
- Breeds such as English or French bulldogs and pugs are at greater risk in summer. Their flat faces can make breathing difficult, and they struggle to cool down by panting, which is the main way for a dog to reduce its body temperature. Take extra care when walking flat-faced breeds, older or overweight dogs, and dogs that you know have heart or lung problems.
- Do the five-second tarmac test before taking a dog out for a walk: if it feels too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Never leave animals in cars or conservatories
- Never leave your pet inside a car or conservatory, even for a quick trip to the supermarket, as ‘not long’ can prove fatal. Leaving the car windows open and a bowl of water is not enough.
- If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, it is best to dial 999 and report it to police.
Protect against sunburn
- It’s not just people that need to protect themselves from sunburn. Some breeds of cats and dogs, particularly those with light-coloured or finer fur, may also benefit from it.
- Apply a 30 SPF (or above) pet-safe sun cream, especially on the ear tips and noses, which are prone to sunburn. Ask your vet for advice if you have any questions about this.
Check for flystrike
Flystrike is a life-threatening risk for rabbits and guinea pigs in the warmer months.
Check their bottoms twice a day to make sure they are clean and to spot any early signs of fly eggs or maggots.
A ‘sticky bottom’ is not only at much higher risk of flystrike, but it may also be due to a problem with your rabbit’s teeth or digestion.
Flystrike is an emergency with rapid deterioration so if in any doubt call your vet straight away.
Speak with your vet for advice on how reduce the risk of flystrike.
For more tips and advice on taking care of your pets during hot weather, visit the British Veterinary Association’s website.
Plus, here’s what the law says about allowing your pet dog to ride in the front seat of your car when driving.
Meanwhile, sniffer dogs were used at Royal Ascot in an attempt to catch racegoers who were trying to get drugs into the event.