Staying cool and Hydrated

Well so far its been a Hot summer with some scorching days. So we have written this blog to give some advice and Top tips on caring for you animals.

watch for signs of heatstroke, such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy or difficulty breathing, if concerened please contact your vet.

Dogs-

As temperatures rise, its important to keep your four-legged friends safe and comfortable. here are a few simple tips:

walk early in the morning or late in the evening when its cooler.

always provide plenty of fresh clean water.

stick to shaded areas and avoid prolonged time in direct sunlight.

check the pavement with your hand, if its too hot for you its too hot for you its to hot for your dogs paws.

treat them to a cooling mat to help them relax at home.

take water with you on walks using a portable water bottle or collapsible bowl.

never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes

Dogs will drink more in the heat but try monitor water intake. Too much water can flush their body of sodium and vital electrolyte’s. If this happens use salt (not too much) and water or a bone broth to help your dog replenish the sodium. You can also purchase electrolytes to add to dogs water.

Try do some enrichment training or use enrichment toys to keep your dog stimulated without long periods of exercise.

Make dog Ice pops using coconut yoghurt and safe fruits for dogs.

Cats-

Hot weather can be just as challenging for cats as it is for us here is a few ways to help keep them cool:

make sure they have access to clean fresh water.

keep your home cool by closing curtains during the hottest part of the day.

create a cool resting spot with tiles floors, cooling mats or a damp towel.

groom your cat regularly to remove excess fur, especially long-haired breeds.

offer wet food or a few ice cubes in their water as a refreshing treat.

ensure outdoor cats always have access to shaded areas.

Horses-

Warm weather is here, so its important to help your horse stay comfortable and safe in the heat.

ensure they have access to clean fresh water.

provide shade in the feild or stable during the hottest part of the day.

sponge or hose the down after exercise, focusing on large muscle areas.

ride early morning or late night when the temperatures are cooler.

use fly sprays,fly masks and rugs to help keep irritating flies away.

replace salts lost through sweating with a appropriate electrolyte supplement if needed.

If your horse has areas of pink skin showing make sure you use sun cream or suitable coverings like fly rugs.

Grassing in the UK is deficient think about feeding a balancer or vitamins and minerals through out summer months.

Think about different ways to increase your horses water intake like soaking Hay, Soaking Feeds or flavouring water.

You can even make Horse ice Lollies with their favourite veg and fruit, apple juice and water.

If your horse has restricted sugar intake or struggles with laminitis or EMS monitor sugar levels in the grass and used restricted areas for grazing or mussels. You can even get apps that tell you the sugar levels for that day.

Chickens-

Hot weather can be tough on your flock, but a few simple steps can help keep them happy and healthy.

provide fresh clean water.

make sure they have access to plenty of of shade, especially during the hottest hours.

offer cooling treats such as watermelon, cucumber, or leafy greens in moderation.

ensure the coop has good ventilation to allow fresh air to circulate.

keep bedding clean and dry to reduce heat and humidity in the coop.

provide dust baths so your chickens can naturally help keep themselves comportable.

collect eggs regularly to provent them overheating in the nesting boxes.

Rabbits and Guineapigs-

Rabbits and guineapigs can struggle in hot weather, so its important to help them stay cool.

always provide fresh clean water.

keep hutches and runs in the shade and out of direct sunlight.

place frozen water bottles wrapped in a towel in their enclosure for them to lay next to.

feed fresh, water rich vegetables such as cucumber and leafy greens as an occasional cooling treat.

make sure their enclosure has plenty or airflow while remaining secure.

ceramic tiles or cooling mats provide a cool surface for them to stretch out on.

keep bedding clean and dry to help prevent over heating, this also ensures that no flies are drawn to your enclosure so this lowers the risk of fly strike.