3rd May 2006

Mad Dogs And Englishmen Go Out In The Mid-Day Sun

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We all know someone who’s fallen asleep in the sun to wake up burned and overheated. The same thing can happen to your dog or cat, and they’re just as silly as us when it comes to soaking up the sun. It’s up to us to keep an eye on them and help them to stay cool.

Dogs, and particularly cats, like to sunbathe – both inside in a sunbeam or conservatory and outside in the full sun. Although your pet may have a thick coat, this doesn’t protect them completely against the sun’s rays and they can suffer from sunburn just as we can. If your pet has very light coloured fur they are more at risk, and also if they have a very fine, short hair, for example bull terriers. Also, your pet isn’t completely covered in hair – the nose and delicate inner ear skin can be at risk of sun burn, and even skin cancer, if exposed to the sun for long periods.

The easiest way to protect your pet is to keep them inside during the heat of the day – from mid-day to two o’clock is normally the most dangerous time for both you and your pet. If you are outside yourself (you mad thing!) you can also safely put your dog in the shade. Cats may be more difficult to control, so you may want to lock them up for these hours or to apply the new pet sunscreens. Not all human sunscreen is appropriate as it could be toxic – a cat or dog will probably lick it off and it could upset their stomachs. Your vet will advise you on sunscreens that can safely be used – children’s versions are often less toxic. There are now specially manufactured pet sunscreens, which are designed to be non-toxic and to be absorbed quickly. You’ll have to apply the sunscreen several times a day.

If you do see a hardened patch or growth on your dog or cat’s skin, take it immediately to the vet to be checked out. Skin cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if it is caught early, and if you have insured your pet it won’t even cost you to have your pet treated.

It’s not only your pet’s skin you should keep an eye on though. Pets are more prone to overheating than us, as they can’t shed their fur coat for shorts and a t-shirt and they do not sweat like we do. Even if your pet is inside, sunbathing in a beam through a window, keep checking they are not over-heating. If your pet starts to pant excessively, drool, or stagger, it could be suffering from heat exhaustion. Move it to a cool place, offer a little water or ice-cubes – not too much water, and try to cool it down – use cool, but not cold water and then wrap it in a cool, wet towel. Call your vet too, as this is a potentially life-threatening situation.

Remember that cars can get very hot, very quickly in summer, and it’s easy for us to forget what they’re like when the air conditioning is off or the windows shut up. During summer, don’t just try to limit the time your pet spends in the car. NEVER leave it alone in a hot car. It’s just too dangerous, so much so that if the RSPCA observes a dog in distress they are within their rights to break in to a car to relieve the animal’s distress.

Even if you are travelling with your pet, keep stopping to check he is OK and offering water. Use window blinds to keep him out of direct sunlight and give him lots of breaks outside the car. Even going for walks in the summer you may need to carry water for your dog. If he shows signs of excessive panting, stop in the shade and offer him a drink and a rest – you may be grateful for this too!

Remember that in summer some sources of water that your pet uses may evaporate quickly. With no puddles and low ponds to lap from, it’s important to keep some extra water around for your pet – perhaps a bowl of water in the garden and more in the house. Keep topping this up throughout the day as your pet will drink more in the heat.

Let’s not forget rabbits and guinea pigs, who will be venturing outside now. It’s all very well to leave their run ‘in the shade’ as you set off to work, but the sun moves throughout the day and you could come back to a hot cross bunny who’s been sitting in the sun all day. Rabbits and guinea pigs can also get sunburned through thin fur or on their ears or noses so make sure there is a very shady hutch or box in their run, lots of cold water and even ask your vet about sunscreen for their noses and ears, especially for albino varieties.

The golden rule in the summer is to heed the words of Noel Coward’s song – only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun. Keep your pets out of the hottest rays and make sure they have access to shade and water at all times and you’ll all remain cool-headed.

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