Help your pet adapt to living in a warmer climate

Whether you’re moving somewhere sunny or just visiting a tropical destination, a dramatic change in climate can have an effect on your pet. When you first arrive, it’s important to keep a close eye on your pet and try and keep them nearby. As they are unable to communicate how they are feeling to you, you will need to be vigilant when looking for signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

In many ways, going from cold place to a hot place is much worse than starting off hot and going somewhere cold. If your pet is too cold, it’s relatively easy to warm them up by sticking a jacket on them or getting them extra blankets to cuddle up in. Unfortunately there’s not a lot you can do about humidity other than staying inside in a well air-conditioned building.

But there are ways that you can help your pet acclimatise. If you have a dog, you should take them out for short walks during the day and longer walks in the evening or at nighttime to help them adjust to the difference in temperature. The length of the daytime walks can be increased gradually as they adapt to the warmer weather. If you have a cat, let them out for short periods and try and keep an eye on them so that you can get them back inside if they start to look affected by the heat. It goes without saying that your pet will require constant access to water.

Try and create a shaded area that your pet can retreat to if the sun becomes too strong for them. Even if you can’t afford, or don’t have space for, a dog house, try tying up some tarpaulin to create a shaded space for your pet. You could add ice cubes to your pets water bowl or freeze some of their food to make them their very own ice lolly!

Another thing you can do to help your pet is brush them regularly. This will help them to shed their thick, heavy winter coats. If your pet is a long-haired breed, consider giving them a trim to help cool them down. It’s also a great opportunity for your dog to have a bit of fun with a sprinkler in the garden! A children’s paddling pool filled with lukewarm water can also be used for a dog, just make sure the base is sturdy enough to cope with claws!

Fri Jan 19 2018