The Dangers of Overheating

Being aware of the signs to look out for means you will be able to tell the difference between a furry friend who is sunning themselves and soaking in the warm rare warm weather and one who might be struggling to stay cool in the heat. Between species of pets, symptoms are generally very similar but might be more or less noticeable. Symptoms to look out for include:  

Panting is a natural way for many species to cool themselves down, but excessive or prolonged panting can indicate that your beloved pet is struggling to regulate their core temperature. A normal tongue and gums for a healthy pet should be pink. When they become too hot you may observe that their tongue and gums have turned bright red, which could be a sign of heat stress. This discolouration occurs due to increased blood flow to these areas in an attempt to dissipate heat. If they are dehydrated you could see the opposite effect where gums go very pale instead.  

Excessive drooling, especially if the saliva appears thicker or stickier than usual, can be a sign that your pet is overheating. Drooling is one way some furry family members attempt to cool themselves, but when it becomes excessive you can notice that their chest and forelimbs are damp. When heat is to an excess, it becomes much harder to spend energy doing just about anything and our pets are the same as us. If they become sluggish they’re probably too hot and if they start to stumble and seem off balance, it’s likely they’re overheating. Vomiting and stomach upsets are signs that being too warm has progressed into heat stroke and immediate vet attention is needed as the body struggles to function normally. 

Several factors can significantly impact the chances of your furry companion suffering from heat stroke. Some risk factors can’t be helped but understanding them will enable you to monitor them closely while you adjust and manage certain aspects of their lifestyle or environment to reduce this. Genetic risk factors include brachycephalic pets which means if you have a flat faced dog or cat, they’re more likely to overheat. Flat faced breeds have a harder time breathing so struggle a little more when the temperature rises. Their heat tolerance is lower so you may notice signs like panting at reduced temperatures.  

Old and overweight pets will also have a harder time in the heat. More effort should be placed into helping older animals stay cool like limiting their time in the sun. Work on reducing meals and increasing exercise to try and get them more trim for the summer. Shedding some pounds before high temperatures will give them a much easier time. For smaller furry friends who are kept in hutches and cages, ventilation is vital. Poor ventilation in the summer means that heat can’t escape so if you’ve moved a hutch for the winter to make sure the wind and rain can’t hit them, you may want to move it to a location that is out of direct light but still allows good airflow. Placing a hutch or a cage in direct sunlight means they won’t be able to escape the heat and cool off so will quickly become overheated. 

A lack of shade and access to water will speed up overheating so all pets should have free access to both at all times.  

By providing ways to cool off, you can help your furry best friend stay safe and cool in summer. You may even need to manage them and limit time out in the sun as not every pet will have the sense to tuck into the shade and will sunbathe to their own detriment. To avoid heat stroke, it can be as simple as keeping your bunny cool by moving their grassy run into a shaded part of the garden. During heatwaves, keep exercise indoors where you can make use of cold tiles in the kitchen and stay out of direct sunshine. For pup parents, walking dogs in high temperatures is too risky so walk early in the morning or in the evening after the sun goes down. Just like we reach for the ice lollies, you can provide cooling treats to give them something to do and help them to reduce their temperature somewhat.

Understanding when it’s too hot for your fluffy family member to be going on walks or playing out in the garden is key to protecting them against overheating. Keep on top of grooming, especially for pets with thick coats to help them carry around less weight and improve their ability to disperse body heat. Just knowing the signs to look out for when it comes to heat stroke is a big step towards being able to act fast and step in before it becomes dangerous. 

If you suspect your four-legged friend might be getting too hot, move them into shade or encourage them to relax on a cold surface or cooling mat. You can take a towel soaked in cool water and gently apply it to their body, focusing on areas where blood vessels are closer to the surface, such as the armpits, groin, and ears. Avoid using cold water or ice as this could constrict blood vessels and hinder the cooling process. Encourage them to drink small amounts of water to help rehydrate them. Providing access to fresh water is crucial for preventing dehydration. 

If your furry family member goes beyond more minor symptoms like panting and starts to appear dizzy or off balance, you should immediately take them to a vet. Overheating can quickly escalate into a life threatening condition, such as heat stroke and quick treatment is paramount to getting them healthy again. By being aware of the risks and taking preventative steps, pet parents can help keep their companions safe during hot weather. Monitoring pets closely and acting quickly when overheating occurs is critical to ensuring their wellbeing. Visit us in store and online to find everything you need to keep your beloved pet nice and cool, even on the hottest days this summer.