With summer finally here and temperatures on the rise, we’ll all be wanting to make the most of the sunshine and head outdoors – our pets included! Whilst it is great fun to embrace the sunshine, it is important to remember that the heat and sun can not only be a danger to ourselves, but to our furry friends too.

Here, Natures Menu’s veterinary team share some top tips on how to keep pets from getting too hot under the collar in the heatwave and how to spot whether an animal is suffering in the sun.

• Cars: We all know leaving an animal in a car is a ‘no no’ yet many owners are still offenders. No matter how quickly you are nipping into the shop, this is something that should not be done, regardless of whether a window is left open or not. Equally, conservatories or green houses can have the same effect when the temperatures soar, with an animal having no way of escaping or cooling down. To avoid this, take your dog out of the car with you, or leave them at home in a cool room. If you close your greenhouse up, always ensure there are no snoozing cats hiding behind pots that could become trapped inside in soaring temperatures.
• Keep water bowls topped up: On a hot day, we humans consume more litres of water than usual - and the same goes for our pets. With their thick coats, cats and dogs find it more difficult to regulate their temperature and are therefore more likely to become dehydrated. Ensure their water bowl is constantly topped up or leave multiple bowls out for them if you plan on being away for a longer period of time. Cats prefer to have a bowl of water accessible in several points throughout their territory so in hot weather, ensure to place fresh bowls of water down in each room and several in shady areas outside. 
• Avoid the midday sun: As well as being the hottest part of the day, midday is often when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Avoid going for walks at this time, particularly with dogs that are white or with closely shorn fur as they can be prone to sunburn. Cats with thin coats are also at risk from sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer, particularly on their ears and noses. Speak to your vet to get advice on pet friendly sun cream and try to keep them out of the sun’s direct rays as much as possible.
• Pavement check: Pavements can become very hot and burn pet paws so only go for walks at the coolest times of the day. You can check the ground isn’t too hot by simply pressing your hand to the pavement for at least five seconds.
• Watch what they eat: Remember food and drink found at summer BBQs, such as grilled onions, chocolate and alcoholic beverages, can often be poisonous to pets. Corn on the cob and kebab skewers can also cause blockages and be choking hazards for four-legged friends, so keep out of your pet’s reach.
• Those most at risk: Some pets are at a greater risk of heat stroke than others. Take extra care if they are overweight, have short or flat noses or thick/long fur. Also keep a closer eye on the very young and old, as well as unwell pets who may struggle more in high temperatures.
• Spot the symptoms: As well as taking precautionary measures to help your pet in the hot weather, it’s important to be able to spot the symptoms that they might be unwell. Excessive panting, anxious pacing or - in severe cases - collapse or convulsions are all signs that your pet may be suffering from heat stroke and thus requires immediate medical attention. Never dunk your pet into freezing water if you suspect heatstroke as this can induce shock.

Melanie Sainsbury, Veterinary Education Manager for Natures Menu (pictured above), said: “It’s important to look after our pets in hot and sunny weather. With their thick coats, cats and dogs find it harder to regulate their own body temperature and are unable to tell us if they are suffering in the heat and feeling unwell.

“As pet parents we all want the best for our cats and dogs, so keep their wellbeing top priority in the hot weather and don’t be tempted to give them human treats at parties or BBQs. Instead, throughout the summer, always have some appropriate treats to hand that your four-legged friends are sure to love.”

Retailers wanting to find out more information about Natures Menu and their range can email trade@naturesmenu.co.uk, phone 0800 0183770 or visitwww.naturesmenu.co.uk/trade-landing.