Keep your pets safe as the weather warms up

Just like us, many animals enjoy the warmer weather, but it’s important to keep our pets safe as the temperature rises. Make sure your furry friends’ are well looked after by taking a few extra steps to ensure their health and comfort both at home, and when you head outdoors together.

The sun is at its fiercest between 10am and 4pm, so be extra vigilant with your companion animals between these times. Animals who are older, overweight, flat-faced, or have thick fur may struggle in the heat. Certain medications may also impact an animal’s ability to thermoregulate.

It’s always best to discuss your animal’s warm weather needs with your vet.

Providing adequate shelter year-round comes under the Codes of Welfare and is considered an essential part of animal ownership. Unfortunately, in New Zealand, many animals are kept outside without appropriate shade or shelter in both the extremes of summer and winter.

All animals, from dogs and cats to livestock, need to have adequate shade and shelter that protects them from the weather, including sun, wind and rain. Ensure there are plenty of places for your animals to hide from the heat of the sun to avoid overheating, sunburn, and horseflies. Trees are a good form of shade, as are human-made shelters that do not have enclosed sides.

If you keep your dog outside, it is critical that they have access to good shade and ventilation. Dog kennels are not good shelter during the summer, as they can trap heat. Tree shade and tarpaulins are ideal because they don’t obstruct air flow.

If your cat has access to the outdoors, make sure they have plenty of shade outside such as trees and bushes. If your cat is looking for shade indoors, close some of your blinds and curtains to provide them with a cool spot in the house to snooze.

If your small animals live outside, you can improve ventilation of their hutch or coop by putting bricks or something similar underneath, bringing it off the ground and allowing air to circulate underneath, but not so high to allow them to escape. Also, make sure their hutch or run is in the shade all day by moving it around as the sun moves.

If you have farmed animals, such as cows or sheep, make sure there is enough room for all of them to lie down in the shade at the same time. On a hot day, shade is a valuable resource, and some animals may bully others to control access.

Our companions always need access to fresh water, and in summer this is crucially important. Animals should always have clean water that is in a shady spot. Most pets also like large bowls and some animals, particularly cats, can find drinking out of small containers unpleasant. While all companion animals like cool, clean water, cats can be very particular – they prefer their water bowl to be kept in a separate location from their food and litter tray. Some even prefer drinking flowing water, which can be provided in a fountain.

Rabbits may prefer to drink out of a ceramic bowl, so it’s best to provide this option if they normally drink out of a water bottle to ensure they stay hydrated.

Having multiple water bowls around the house will also help to encourage your companion animal to take regular sips. Making doggie ice blocks are also a great way to keep dogs hydrated – just freeze your dog’s favourite treat in water, inside dog toys like a Kong, or an ice-cream container. Also remember to take water and a travel water bowl on summertime walks.

Hot weather also brings with it the dangers of algae blooms in still water or shallow rivers, particularly after periods of little rainfall. Check Council websites for alerts about algae blooms in your area. If the Council has an alert, or if you think you have spotted algae, keep your dog on a lead and out of the water - and make sure ensure your dog does not eat any algae in the water or at the water’s edge.

Hot ground and black sand can burn the pads of your pet’s paws and leave them sore, blistered and red. Check if it is a safe temperature for them to walk on by holding the back of your hand on the pavement or sand for five seconds. If it is too hot for you to hold your hand there, your pet shouldn’t be out walking on it!

Never leave your dog in a hot car unattended.

It takes only minutes for an animal left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. The temperature inside a closed vehicle in the sun can reach 50 degrees Celsius in less than 15 minutes.

Temperatures inside vehicles can rise rapidly, even when parked in the shade and if you have left the windows open.

Dog owners can also be fined $300 if they leave their dogs in the car, and if the welfare impact on the animal is significant, owners can face prosecution. SPCA officers have the right to hand out infringement notices and fines to people who do this. Bystanders worried about dogs trapped in hot cars should call the police or SPCA on 0800 SPCA NZ immediately.

The best option is to leave your dog safely at home. If you must take your dog with you in the car, bring fresh water and a non-spill water dish for them, and take your dog with you when you leave the car.

If you love your dog, don’t leave them in a car.

Dogs don’t just die in hot cars. Recent research shows that exercising dogs in the summer heat can also put them at risk of heat stroke, particularly if they are older or brachycephalic (flat-faced). To keep them safe, SPCA recommends exercising your dog early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

Avoid long and strenuous walks on hot, sunny days, and steer clear of prolonged sun exposure. Take your dogs to an area that has shade or a place for them to swim so they can take a break to cool off, and if they want to slow down or stop, follow their lead. As mentioned in the section above, always avoid walking animals on hot tarmac or sand as this can burn their paws.

It’s important to be able to recognise the signs of heat stress in animals.

When heat stress isn’t treated, or is prolonged, pets can experience heat stroke. This involves severe symptoms including loss of consciousness and seizures, and a body temperature of over 40°C which is often fatal.

Current best practice veterinary guidelines recommend to “cool first, transport second” as the immediate first aid response for animals with heatstroke.

Dogs

The obvious signs of a dog who is suffering heat stress are excessive panting and showing signs of discomfort, such as restlessness and shade-seeking behaviour. Dogs who are suffering heat stroke will be lethargic, drool excessively, have dark red gums, vomit, have diarrhoea, or uncoordinated movement.

The recommended cooling method for young, healthy dogs is cold water immersion (i.e. placing the dog in water cooler than the dog). For older dogs or dogs with underlying health problems, pouring water of any temperature that is cooler than the dog over them, combined with air movement from a breeze, fan, or air conditioning (evaporative cooling) is recommended.

Cats

Cats struggling in the heat will pant, be reluctant to move, drool or salivate, increase their grooming or licking their fur, of have fast and shallow breathing, as this is how they release heat. Your cat may be suffering heat stroke if they appear confused, are stumbling or wobbly on their feet, lethargic, or vomiting, have diarrhoea, bright red tongue or gums, tremors or seizures.

Rabbits

Rabbits can show signs of heat stress as low as 23 degrees and are very susceptible when temperature rise to 25 degrees and above. Blocks of iced water and cold tiles can also help rabbits to cool down when temperatures rise. Signs of heat stroke in rabbits include: body stretched out, with feet sprawled apart and limp tail, wetness around the nose area; eyes half-closed; tongue protruding; fast, shallow breathing; reluctance to move; refusal to eat or drink; ears hot to touch.

To cool a smaller heat stressed pet, move them to a shaded area or indoors, away from direct sunlight. Spray them with cool water or use a cloth to put water on their ears, paws and belly, and place them close to a fan. Cool packs can be placed against their armpits and belly.

If you believe your pet is suffering from heat stroke, you should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

Animals that are fair-skinned or light-haired are particularly susceptible to the sun’s harsh rays. Skin cancer can occur commonly in dogs and cats, so they will need sunblock applied every three to four hours to areas of their body that have no, or little, hair-covered spots.

Normal sunscreen can include ingredients which are toxic to animals, so a pet-friendly sunscreen should be used. Rub sunscreen on the tips of their ears, on the end of their nose, and on their stomach – these are the most commonly sunburnt areas. You can also limit the time your fair skinned or fair-haired companion animal is exposed to direct sunlight.

Canine Parvovirus is an often fatal, highly contagious illness, at its peak during the warmer months. It is transmitted from dog to dog mainly through contact with the faeces or vomit of an infected canine. Just taking your dog for a walk down the street, or to the park, can put them at risk of contracting the disease if they are not fully vaccinated.

Parvovirus symptoms include lethargy, severe vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea that results in life-threatening dehydration.

Protect your dog by making sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, and ensure your puppy is not socialising with any unfamiliar dogs until they are fully vaccinated. If you are not sure if your dog is fully vaccinated or you have concerns about their health, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Also be sure to keep on top of flea and worm treatments for all your pets in summer, as these parasites are more prevalent in warmer weather.

When walking your four-legged-friends this summer, it's important to be aware of Karaka tree berries. Throughout the warmer months the berries ripen, turn orange and fall off the trees. They can be fatal if eaten by dogs.

These native trees are a vital food source for Kereru; however they are very toxic if eaten by other animals. We advise if you have spotted any Karaka trees in your local area, to keep your dog on the lead or take them to an alternative location for a walk.

Signs of Karaka berry poisoning include weakness, vomiting, confusion and convulsions. These symptoms can be delayed by a day or two, so even if they are not yet showing symptoms, if you have any concerns that your pet may have eaten any, please seek veterinary treatment immediately.

Try to avoid long grass on dog walks, especially after a long dry summer when grasses are seeding. Injuries relating to these pesky seeds are a common problem for dogs over the warmer months, and can cause life-threatening damage if not spotted quickly.

It’s most common for the seeds to become embedded in a dog's paws or fur, but it can be particularly serious if they migrate through the body or became lodged in the animal's lungs.

For long-haired animals, it can help to keep hair short around their ears, paws, and legs. When coming home after a walk, groom your dog immediately and check thoroughly for any seeds, especially between foot pads and around ears and face. If you find any seeds penetrating through the skin, gently remove them with tweezers and ensure the seed is whole, as any small piece may cause a reaction.

If you notice your dog is licking or chewing at a sore place, sudden onset of lameness or if you suspect your dog may have a seed in his or her eyes or ears, contact your vet immediately.

Looking for more helpful tips and advice? Visit SPCA's Advice and Welfare portal!