A pet shop has used its social media platform to debunk myths about animal welfare during a heatwave.
Maggie’s Pet Store in Stockport, Greater Manchester, has posted on its Facebook page the following advice to pet owners:
The hot weather has brought out the usual myths on social media! So I just wanted to clear this one up for you:
- DO NOT walk dogs in this heat - true
- DO NOT leave dogs in hot cars - true
- DO NOT give your dog ice cubes - false
- DO NOT give frozen treats or frozen KONGs - false
There are lots of posts in circulation sharing an unnamed vet's advice that giving ice or frozen treats will cause serious harm or even death. This is simply not true.
When you see anything shared on social media, question the source. An unnamed vet, a post copied and pasted or simply posted from a cropped screen shot is an instantly questionable source.
If your dog is fit and healthy with no signs of heat stroke they are more than safe to:
- eat an ice cube
- play with ice cubes
- have ice in their water bowl
- have frozen food/doggy ice cream
- have a frozen KONG
- enjoy frozen treats inside ice
These can only be dangerous when a dog is already suffering from heatstroke and have been given iced water in an attempt to cool them down. This can cool them down too quickly and potentially send their body in to shock.
If your dog is overheating or suffering from heatstroke, then please get your dog to a vet as soon as possible!
Picture taken from Maggie’s Pet Store page, credited Jennifer Bartlett, Canine Behaviourist
