Pets in Hot Weather
It's great when the sun is out and the temperatures are set to rise, but we MUST take extra care of our pets as they can easily over heat. OSCAR's Helpline is here to give you some tips and health care advice on how to keep your pets safe in hot weather.
Meal Times

In warmer weather our pets' appetites tend to decrease, just like ours. Don't be too concerned if your pet does not eat all their meal or skips the odd one. You may find it helps to feed your pet at cooler times of the day (early morning/late evening) or offer small meals throughout the day. Moistening your cat or dog's dry food with water will help to increase their fluid intake.
Ensure your pet has access to water at all times, changing it daily to keep it fresh. Move water dishes out of direct sunlight. If you have a cat that likes to spend time outside, place a water dish in the garden for them to drink from.
Don't forget smaller animals in outside hutches and cages! Ensure their water and food dishes are also out of direct sunlight and remove any fresh vegetables from the hutch/cage which have not been eaten.
Over Heating...Too Hot!
Dogs, cats and small animals can easily over heat in hot weather. Make sure you can recognise the signs of overheating in pets...
- Excessive panting
- Lethargy
- Increased salivation
- In serious cases: vomiting & diarrhoea
If your pet shows any of these signs, you must contact your veterinary practice immediately.
Sun Bathing
Try to limit the amount of time your dog or cat spends in the sun. Make sure they have access to a cool, shaded area indoors and outdoors. Be careful to watch where your pet rests indoors; conservatories can get very hot very quickly. Never keep your dog or cat in the conservatory and leave the house.
When you go out, make sure your cat flap is open so that your cat can come in to escape from the sun. If your dog is kept in a kennel outdoors, keep an eye on the temperature inside it.
Move hutches and cages out of direct sunlight to a well shaded area. Don't exercise small animals in the garden at the hottest time of the day. Instead, stick to early morning and late evening when it is cooler.
Fun in the Sun
