VETS issued an urgent warning to all dog owners this summer and revealed the room in your home that could be fatal for your beloved pooch.
The advice comes as the Met Office predicts a heatwave will sweep across the UK this week, with temperatures predicted to reach 31C.
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Pet owners have been warned not to leave their furry friends in uninsulated conservatories during hot weather.
The warning comes as figures from Conservatory Insulations show that a third of homeowners use their conservatories for their pets.
While these sunny spaces can be enjoyable for our furry friends, the Met Office and British Veterinary Association (BVA) have warned that they pose significant safety risks to animals during hot weather, especially without the correct insulation.
The BVA warning published on the Met Office website says: “Never leave your pet in a car or conservatory, even for a quick trip to the supermarket, as ‘not too much’ can be fatal.”
Temperatures inside an insulated conservatory can rise to 40C, which can be hotter than California’s famous Death Valley, but two-thirds of people aged 25 to 44 revealed that their pets use the space more than that they.
Every summer, veterinarians treat pets for heat-related problems such as heatstroke, respiratory problems and burned paw pads.
Dogs are most commonly affected and even on cloudy days, conservatory temperatures can rise quickly and become dangerously hot.
Conservatory Insulations’ cutting-edge technology, known as CHRIS, can help your conservatory stay cool by reflecting 95% of direct sunlight so the temperature can be controlled all year round.
The quilt and six-layer technology is researched and developed by NASA for use on the Space Shuttle.
Matt Forrest, managing director of Radcliffe-based Conservatory Insulations, said: “Insulating your conservatory is the easiest way to ensure you and your pets can still enjoy the space when outside temperatures soar.
“Every uninsulated conservatory is a problem – they are too cold in winter and too hot in summer.
“Our team of experts developed our unique CHRIS insulation system to provide a solution to conservatory heating and cooling problems.
“The unique insulation system uses materials with temperature-control properties, keeping your pets safe whatever the weather and allowing you to use the space year-round.”
It turns out dog owners were told they faced a hefty £5,000 fine for leaving their dog hanging out of their car window.
The advice in full
British Veterinary Association Advice
Summer can be a wonderful time of year, with time spent outdoors enjoying the sun and warmer weather.
However, just like us, our pets are also vulnerable to heat-related problems and illnesses.
Every year, veterinarians see pets suffering from heat-related conditions such as heatstroke, respiratory problems, paw burns, and sunburn.
Dogs lead the pack in the number of cases seen by veterinarians, followed by rabbits and cats.
Even on cloudy or humid summer days, cars and spaces like conservatories can heat up quickly and our pets can be at risk of overheating.
If you are concerned about an animal, always speak to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Heat-related illnesses can be fatal, but early intervention can save lives.
The British Veterinary Association has some top tips on keeping our pets safe in hot weather.
Check access to water and shade
- Make sure all pets, from dogs and cats to birds, rabbits and guinea pigs, always have access to fresh drinking water, adequate ventilation and shade from direct sunlight.
- Never leave animals in cars, conservatories, outbuildings or caravans on a hot day, even if it is cloudy or for a short time, as this can be fatal to them.
- Provide pets with a cool mat and fan, and keep frozen water bottles covered with towels in their living area. For rabbits and guinea pigs, you can provide extra shade by covering the tops of wire mesh with damp towels. Lightly spraying your rabbits’ ears with cold water is also an effective way to help cool them down, as long as you don’t stress them.
- Don’t forget the wildlife that visits our gardens – keep a bowl of fresh, clean water for wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs.
Keep dog walks during the cooler times of the day
- Dogs won’t stop playing and running if it’s hot, so it’s up to their owners to take steps to prevent overheating. This includes ensuring they are not walked or exercised in the middle of a hot day. Stick to morning or evening walks when it’s cooler.
- Breeds such as English or French bulldogs and pugs are most at risk in the summer. Their flat faces can make breathing difficult and they struggle to cool themselves by panting, which is a dog’s main way of reducing their body temperature. Take extra care when walking flat-faced breeds, older or overweight dogs, and dogs you know have heart or lung problems.
- Do the five-second asphalt test before taking a dog for a walk: If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for the dog’s paws.
Never leave animals in cars or conservatories
- Never leave your pet in the car or greenhouse, even for a quick trip to the supermarket, as ‘too little time’ can be fatal. Leaving the car windows open and a bowl of water is not enough.
- If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, it’s best to call 999 and report it to the police.
Protect against sunburn
- It’s not just people who need to protect themselves from sunburn. Some breeds of dogs and cats, especially those with light or finer fur, may also benefit from it.
- Apply a pet-friendly SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen, especially to the tips of the ears and nose, which are prone to sunburn. Ask your vet for advice if you have any questions about this.
Check for fly strike
Flystrike is a fatal risk for rabbits and guinea pigs in the warmer months.
Check the bottoms twice a day to make sure they are clean and to detect any early signs of fly eggs or larvae.
A ‘sticky bottom’ not only presents a much greater risk of fly strike, but could also be due to a problem with your rabbit’s teeth or digestion.
Flystrike is a rapidly deteriorating emergency, so if in doubt, call your veterinarian immediately.
Speak to your veterinarian for advice on how to reduce the risk of flystrike.
For more tips and advice on caring for your pets during warm weather, visit the British Veterinary Association website.
Also, here’s what the law says about allowing your pet dog to ride in the front seat of your car while driving.
Meanwhile, sniffer dogs were used at Royal Ascot in an attempt to catch racegoers trying to bring drugs into the event.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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