While many of us will be enjoying the sunshine, the warm weather can be tough for our pets, so PDSA Vet Anna Ewers Clark has put together her top tips for helping small pets cope in the heat.
Keep them cool
- Keep their enclosure and exercise run out of direct sunlight. If possible, move it to a shaded area of the garden.
- Make sure they have cool hiding places too – a tunnel or cardboard box tipped onto its side is a fun, shaded place for them to explore.
- Fill a bottle with water and freeze it overnight. Wrap it in a towel and place it in or next to their run. It’ll give them something cold to lie against.
- Try a ceramic or marble tile in a shaded spot that your pet can lie on if they get hot. You can also buy pet cooling mats, but make sure they don’t get scratched or chewed by curious pets!
Provide them with plenty of water
- Make sure your pets have access to fresh, clean water whenever they need it. Remember, they’ll drink more on hot days so you may need to increase the amount of water bottles and dishes they have access to.
- Keep checking on their water and top it up throughout the day as and when they need more.
- Check water bottles every day to make sure the spout isn’t blocked.
- Make sure they’re fed a good quality diet including plenty of leafy green veg as these can help to add extra water to their diet.
Stay protected from the sun
- Shade is often the best protection so make sure there are plenty of shaded spots for your rabbits or guinea pigs to lounge in.
- You can create extra shade for them by draping a sheet or towel over part of their exercise run or hutch, making sure there is still a nice draught of cool air. You might need to keep checking they have enough shade throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky.
- Rabbits and guinea pigs with white or thin fur are more at risk of the sun damaging their skin. Pet-safe sun cream can give them extra protection.
- Anna adds: “Any pet can overheat so it’s important to keep an eye on their behaviour for any signs of heatstroke. In rabbits and guinea pigs this can include drooling, taking short quick breaths, having less energy and even collapse. Heatstroke is an emergency for all pets so it’s important you know the signs and call your vet as soon as possible.”
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