When the heat is on...
Summer is the ideal time to enjoy the great outdoors with your pet. But while you’re slapping on the sunscreen, don’t forget your four-legged friends need protection in hot weather too.

A new social network for pet lovers, www.allaboutpets.co.uk, offers essential advice about caring for pets in the heat.

Dogs and cats:
- Never leave your dog (or any pet) alone in a car, even with the windows rolled down. Sunlight can raise the temperature inside a vehicle in a matter of minutes, causing an animal to suffer from heatstroke. Overweight, elderly, very young or poorly dogs are most at risk, as it takes more effort for them to regulate their body temperature.
- On hot days dogs and cats may drink more than usual, so regular access to fresh, clean water is essential. Take plenty of water with you if you’re travelling with your pet.
- Dogs and cats with light-coloured noses and fur are vulnerable to sunburn, so try to keep them out of the sun between 10am and 4pm. When they do go outside, rub a bit of non-toxic sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of their nose and ears.
- Keep dogs and cats well groomed, especially longhaired ones. A tangle-free coat will help protect your pet’s delicate skin and keep it cool in the sunshine.
- Dogs enjoy being active and it’s great for their health, as well as yours. But on very hot days, try to venture out either early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is more comfortable. Never force your dog to run in hot, humid weather.

Horsing around:
- Always ensure that your horse has access to a shady area in its field. This could be provided by a tree or by a field shelter.
- Offer your horse as much protection from flies as possible. A long mane and tail will offer natural protection, but you could also buy a fly fringe or anti-fly rug to give added protection. A good quality fly repellent is also advisable.
- It is important that you don’t allow your horse to become overweight during the summer months, when there is a lot of grass around. Monitor your horse’s weight using a weigh tape and record it on a weekly chart. If your horse does put on weight, cut down on any hard feed or restrict its grazing.
- Always make sure that your horse has access to a supply of clean, fresh water.
- Use a good quality hoof oil on your horse’s feet, both inside and out, to prevent them from drying out and cracking in hot weather.
- Horses can be prone to sunburn. If your horse has pink skin on its nose or around its mouth then sun cream should be applied in sunny weather.

Bunny care:
- Rabbits are sensitive creatures that do not handle high temperatures very well. The best tip is to keep your rabbit indoors during hot weather. If this is not possible, ensure it has a well-ventilated hutch, above ground level and out of the sun.
- In very hot weather, place a circulating fan near your rabbit’s hutch, but not blowing directly onto it. Place a damp towel over part of the cage to create even cooler air.
- Use a ceramic or marble tile in your rabbit’s favourite place to provide a cool spot to lie on.
- Rabbits vent heat through the ears, so misting them with water will help them cool down.
- Brush out excess fur. If you have a longhaired rabbit, consider cropping its coat short for the summer months.
- Keep water bowls topped up, and take extra care of rabbits over five years old and those that are overweight or incapacitated. They are likely to be more lethargic and may not get up to drink water if they are too hot, which can quickly lead to dehydration. Fresh vegetables such as lettuce and cucumber can also be a great source of water.

For more information, visit All About Pets, a new online community run by The Blue Cross pet charity. Over 5,000 members have already signed up since its beta launch in March; it’s the place to go to talk or learn about pets. Join the fun: www.allaboutpets.org.uk