Look after your animals in this heat!

babyshoes

Oooh, have to try the frozen towel thing for my ferrets - thanks to whoever it was that first suggested it! I have been misting them with water and keep a fan on next to the cage all the time, and today they had an ice block wrapped in their blankets. Ice cubes are a favourite, as well as my own invention of 'ferret ice cream' - it is mostly soya milk with a little bit of plain yoghurt, a splash of double cream and a tiny bit of mashed banana for sweetness. They can't have too much of that as it is quite rich, but it is a lovely treat for them in the heat.

They have all been quite lethargic recently, and Harry has taken to sleeping in the litter tray when it is clean, or at least when enough of it is clean for him to fit in it! :eek: :rotfl:

spike7451

chris_n_tj wrote: »

I am so glad we have this thread, TJ is puffing and panting like an old man. But seeing that everyone else has the same problems it lets me know its the same for everyone. Our afternoon walk will take place tonight when its cooled off. Last night it was gone 11 before we went and it was still hot and muggy.
Had to laugh spike, nothing will stop TJ from eating lol, its his favorite passtime.
Chris n TJ

I think I've thrown out about £5 worth of tinned cat food in this heat! Daisy'll eat it at first but later,when she goes back to it,wont.I'm thinking that in this heat,she can smell that it's not as fresh as,well,fresh opened tin.
Plus with the increase of flies I'm reluctent to leave it down for her,I came home from work once to find Orbit's dish full of wriggling maggots!:eek:

devildog

Aputsiaq,
I thoroughly agree with your sentiments with regards to breaking a car window to rescue a dog however I do not think that "You are within your rights" More often than not the RSPCA will not do this unless there is a police officer present!
I would most likely still do it and face the consequences but it is my understanding that the law would be broken.

morg_monster

i tried the frozen towel thing yesterday with our cats (but with a teatowel). One cat sat with it draped over her for about 30 seconds, the other wouldn't entertain it. I tried putting it on the floor and encouragign them to sit or stand on it but they weren't particularly bothered. They have been lying in the bathroom mostly; with the tiled floor and blinds down all the time it is pretty cool in there.

they had fun this morning romping round the garden in the rain, though, seemed to perk them up a lot!

kjmtidea

My two cats seem to spend more and more time outside when it is hot, despite our house being very cool, crazy cats! I have various water bowls dotted around the garden for the cats and the chickens, the chicken coop and run is permanently in shade which is good. They are all coping far better than I am in this heat!

SammiD

I tried to frozen towel with Charlie last night and it was a great sucsess!!! At first when I put it down he wasn't interested at all, so I picked him up and stood him on it. He flicked is feet a couple of times then when he realised how cool it was he relaxed, flopped himself down and laid there for a good of couple of minutes! However, the minute the towel started going floppy and wet again he jumped off! LOL! So back in the freezer it went for an hour or so then when hard again, back out and the whole cycle started again! LOL!
I left one out for him this morning in the bathroom, Im assuming it would (again) have gone damp and soft again but at least its there if he does want to cool down!

Thank you so much for the suggestion! Its worked a treat!

Also, put lumps of ice in his water bowls, however he thought this was a game rather than something to drink! LOL! Spent ages batting the ice round the water bowl!:rotfl:

Fuzzy_Duck

Something I do with my cat is get an ice cube, warm it in my palm so it begins to melt and then rub over his fur. It really helps cool them down, and it's easy to do as they're getting petted at the same time! He also has a fan at his level, plenty of water and I encourage him to go outside and sit in the shade. I do rub a bit of sun screen over his ears which he doesn't particular like, but he forgets about it once it's on.

Shoshannah

Thanks for posting this thread.

Remember to always call the vets if your pet gets really hot, even if they appear to have recovered. The heat can cause organ damage that may not be apparant for hours or even days.

chris_n_tj

Bumping up for the weekend, it looks like its going to be a scorcher. Same goes for us humans, keep cool and enjoy the sun, use plenty of sunscreen, and when you use it on yourself put some on the noses and ear tips of your furry friends, also on little bottoms. xx Lol on our furry friends bottoms of course not your own hahahaha
Chris n TJ xxxx

Sagz_2

My dogs enjoyed their chinese ice-lollies today

I topped up the left-overs with water and then put the plastic takeway boxes in the freezer.
They also enjoy cat-food flavour lollies and roast dinner ones.

(I'm feeling peckish now!)