Leaving your aquarium unattended for days or weeks in summer can be dangerous,due to the risk of heatwaves. If you’re going on a summer holiday,consider organising a fish sitter to check on the animal regularly.
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Birds
Heat stress can change the physiology of birds. For example,research into a wild population of small Australian robins showed,during a heatwave,the birds lost body mass and abandoned their nests,and some died. Heat stress can also cause abnormal behaviour in pet birds such as feather picking,when one bird repeatedly pecks at the feathers of another.
In hot weather,regularly check your bird’s cage to make sure it’s clean and stocked with food and water. If the bird is in an outdoor cage or aviary,ensure it is shaded. And a shallow bird bath will help your feathered friend cool off.
Dogs
Dogs and cats can suffer on hot days. That’s especially true if they are older or overweight,have thick coats,or have short snouts and/or flat faces (which restrict airflow and make it harder for them to cool down).
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Heat stress can cause canine hyperthermia,which means the dog’s body temperature becomes dangerously hot. Watch for early warning signs of heat stress such as excessive panting and erratic movements. These symptoms can quickly escalate,leading to heat stroke and possible death.
More than 80 per cent of dog owners report exercising their dogs less vigorously,or for shorter periods,during hot weather. That can help avoid heat-related illness. But don’t reduce your dog’s activity levels too much as that may lead to other health problems. Just time the walks to avoid the heat of the day.
Refrain from leaving dogs unattended in vehicles because they can easily overheat. In fact,it’s better to leave your dog inside the house on a hot day,as long as they have a cool place to rest and plenty of water – perhaps even with ice cubes in it. And dogs love to cool off in a kiddie pool or under a sprinkler.
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If you take your dog out on a hot day,carry a container of fresh,cool water for them. And don’t forget to slip-slop-slap:apply a sparing amount of pet sunscreen to your dog’s exposed pink skin such as ear tips and nose.
Cats
Like other animals,cats can overheat in hot weather. Symptoms include panting heavily,drooling and a rapid pulse. Like with other animals,if you suspect your cat is suffering from heatstroke,call a vet immediately.
Climate change and associated heat and floods are likely to aid the spread of parasites and illness including tick-borne diseases,flea infestations and heartworm. This puts both cats and dogs at risk.
In hot weather,the advice for cat owners is similar to that for dog owners:ensure your cat has plenty of shade and water and put pet sunscreen on their ear tips and noses,especially if the cat is white. If possible,keep the cat inside during the hottest part of the day. Ensure at least one room is cool and ventilated. And in a heatwave,play with your cat either in the early morning or evening,when the temperature has cooled.
While humans have the capacity to understand and prepare for climate change,pets will need our help to cope. This includes not just the pets listed above but others,too,including reptiles,guinea pigs and rabbits.
As heatwaves and other extreme weather events become more common,the onus is on us to keep our pets safe.
This article first appeared onThe Conversation.
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