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An animal should never be left in an environment without shade during a heat wave.
Wild birds and other little wild critters may also need a helping hand during a heat wave. If you have a garden, it's a nice idea to leave out some bowls of fresh water for them.
The feet are actually a good place to start when it comes to cooling down your pet. Running cool tap water over their paws can help to reduce their temperature.
If you're lucky enough to have an in-ground swimming pool, it's best not to let your dog swim unsupervised in case he or she struggles to get out.
You can keep them cool by changing out 20% of the water regularly, or by placing an ice pack sealed in a ziplock bag directly into the water (the ziplock bag prevents any leakage, which could be dangerous).
See also: How to survive heat waves
If your dog is confined to the outdoors, make sure there's a shady area where they can rest.
It's best to leave multiple bowls around the house and keep refreshing them with cool water. You can even add ice cubes!
A children's paddling pool is also much appreciated for a cool dip!
To get around this, you can get your dog some little shoes to protect their feet, or go for walks in the early mornings and late evenings when it's cooler.
Heat can build up to deadly temperatures in a car within a matter of minutes, and your furry pet is more susceptible to the heat than you are.
Placing a rock in the middle of a large bowl of water creates a simple bird bath they can use to cool down.
Long haired and fluffy pet breeds shouldn't always be shaved in the summer, despite what you might think.
Special pets also require special care. Breeds such as Pugs, Pekingese, and Persians (or any dogs or cats with flat faces) will struggle to pant effectively. Panting is one of the main ways animals cool themselves down, so it's necessary to be extra careful with these breeds.
This should go without saying, but a pet should never be left in a locked car. Even if it's just for a few minutes and a window is rolled down.
If you or your pet experience these kinds of symptoms, it's important to seek medical help right away.
Common symptoms are confusion, agitation, and fatigue. In extreme cases, there can be seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you have small caged animals like guinea pigs, it's best to bring them indoors. They can be kept cool by placing the cage on a tiled floor or in the bath tub.
Other parts of the body are susceptible to overheating too. For example, the circulatory system will send blood to the surface of the skin to release heat, which puts a strain on the heart. This also explains why your face turns red!
Check if it's too hot by placing your palm on the pavement for five seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, then it's too hot for a paw.
You can also set up a fan so they get proper air circulation, as well as place an icy bottle of water inside the cage.
Thanks to global warming, heat waves are becoming more common and lasting longer than ever before. Each summer is setting record-breaking temperatures all over the world. For example, many countries in Europe that have a tendency to be on the colder side are now hitting 40°C (104°F) every year.
Not everyone has air-conditioning, so what can you do to keep your pet happy and safe during these periods of extreme heat? Click on to find the answers!
How to take care of your pets during a heat wave
A science-based approach
LIFESTYLE Animals
Thanks to global warming, heat waves are becoming more common and lasting longer than ever before. Each summer is setting record-breaking temperatures all over the world. For example, many countries in Europe that have a tendency to be on the colder side are now hitting 40°C (104°F) every year.
Not everyone has air-conditioning, so what can you do to keep your pet happy and safe during these periods of extreme heat? Click on to find the answers!