Poor dog, look at his paws. Photo credit: East Bay SPCA veterinary surgeon
The SPCA has warned pet owners of precautionary measures to ensure their animals are safe, as scorching temperatures are expected.
Poor dog, look at his paws. Photo credit: East Bay SPCA veterinary surgeon
If a surface is too hot for your barefoot, it’s too hot for your pets, the SPCA said while urging pet owners to keep their animals indoors as scorching temperatures are expected this weekend.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA furthermore warned that leaving your beloved animals in a hot car – whether the car is parked in a shaded area with the windows rolled down or not – can be fatal.
The animal welfare organisation called on the public to report animals in hot cars to 021 700 4158/9 or 083 326 1604 after hours.
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White-faced dogs are advised to be kept indoors, and pet-friendly sunscreen should be applied to pink noses, ear tips, and hairless areas.
The SPCA also added that pet owners of short-nosed dog breeds should pay extra attention as this breed does not pant effectively and are more susceptible to heatstroke.
“The rule is simple, if a surface is too hot for your barefoot, it’s too hot for your pets,” the SPCA said.
Before you reach for the leash consider these simple tips:
How to tell if a pet’s paw pads are burned:
First aid for burned paws:
This comes after The South African Weather Services (SAWS) said temperatures are set to reach 45 degrees Celsius.
It furthermore said when the temperature is extremely high, human ability to cool their bodies through sweating is reduced. This can be a real threat that leads to hyperthermia.
“In an extremely hot environment, the most serious health and safety concern is heatstroke. Heatstroke can be fatal if medical attention is not available immediately, the SAWS said.
Here are a few safety precautions to follow: