Warm Weather Can Mean Misery For Pets

After the hottest day of the year yesterday, many of us are welcoming the arrival of warmer weather. To make sure Britain’s pets enjoy the sunshine as much as their owners The Blue Cross is issuing some essential summer safety advice:

• Help pets find shady spots - indoors and out. Pale coloured animals are prone to skin cancer if they spend too much time in the sun, just like people.
• Never leave pets in a car or enclosed warm spaces. Just a few minutes, even with an open window, can be fatal to animals.
• Always have plenty of clean water available, large dog bowls filled to the brim are best for cats. Don’t forget to take fresh water to the beach for dogs.
• Prepare in advance if taking pets on holiday. Will they need extra medication and is the destination safe for them? If they will be staying in kennels book early as the best ones can get booked up.
• Keep rabbits and smaller animals and their homes clean. Warm weather means more flies and maggots can lead to ‘Flystrike’, a common but fatal condition in small animals.

Caroline Reay, chief veterinary surgeon at The Blue Cross animal hospital in Merton said: "Although we are all pleased that summer has arrived, warm weather can be miserable to pets lacking proper attention. The Blue Cross in Merton sees cases of heatstroke and highly preventable illnesses every year - sometimes fatal for pets and devastating for their owners. Simple measures can be taken to keep animals comfortable and safe so we can all enjoy the sunshine."

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