Pets feel the heat too | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast

Fraser Coast vet Randall McLellan says pet owners should be aware of the heat and take care of animals in the warm weather.

Karleila Thomsen

IT’S NOT just people who feel the heat – pets do too.

That’s the warning from Fraser Coast vet Randall McLellan.

He said that while most people showed commonsense, they could forget how quickly animals could become heat stressed.

He said older animals in particular had a tendency to be affected by the heat and that it was important to provide an area with enough shade for animals to take shelter.

“It’s also important not to lock animals in cars,” he said.

“It’s amazing how many people do that.

“You may think you’ll only be gone for a few minutes but then you might stop to have a chat with someone.”

Dogs can die in only six minutes in overheated cars.

Mr McLellan said excitable dogs and young animals were also at risk of heat stroke.

“Also, people might tie a dog up in the shade but then the sun will move. People just have to use a bit of commonsense.”

Owners should also be conscious of the heat when taking their dog for a walk.

“People wear shoes but they should be conscious that animals’ feet can get hot too, walking on hot roads.

“Hosing dogs down is also a good idea.”

He said that if animals showed signs of heat stroke or if they collapsed they should be taken to a vet immediately.

Keep your pet cool:

• Keep a few bowls of water with ice cubes in the shade

• Keep cages out of the sun and do not tie dogs up in the sun

• Lightly hose bird cages and hose dogs down if they seem to be overheating

• Don’t walk animals during the hottest parts of the day