cool cats

pet life

Cool for cats …

Water safety and dogs

Splashing around in water is the perfect way for hot hounds to cool down in the hot days of summer. Swimming is excellent exercise and a great alternative to walking in the summer heat. Whether they’re heading down to the beach for a wallow in the waves or just dipping their paws in a pond, make sure you know how to keep your pet safe and healthy around water.

Not all dogs like to swim. If yours doesn’t, don’t force them, and never throw a dog into water.
Be wary of tides at the beach and watch out for currents in rivers.
Drinking salt water isn’t good for dogs and is likely to make them sick. Bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl with you for a day at the beach.
Wash salt and sand off your dog’s coat after swimming to prevent it drying and irritating their skin.
Make sure your dog has access to some shade on the beach to avoid heatstroke.
Check freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and canals to make sure they are clean before letting your dog dive in. Some types of algae, including blue-green algae, are toxic to dogs. If your dog swims in algae-contaminated water, contact your vet immediately.

Dogs can and do drown in rivers and the sea. If your dog has inhaled water, contact your vet, as they can suffer complications like pneumonia.
Sadly, each year dog owners drown trying to rescue their pets. Don’t risk dangerous situations.

Ponds and aquariums

Don’t forget about your fishy friends as the weather gets warmer.

Outdoor ponds can get very warm if they’re in direct sunlight so create a shaded area over the pond to keep the water temperature down. Fences, hedges or trellises all make great sun screens but a few tall pot plants are just as good and can be moved throughout the day to keep fish cool. If possible, make sure ponds have a deeper area where fish can shelter in the cooler depths in hot weather.

Rising temperatures can also reduce the oxygen levels in ponds and leave your fish gasping for breath. Submerged plants are good for shade but they also use up the oxygen in your pond at night. Keep plants trimmed back and consider installing an air pump or a water feature like a fountain or waterfall to agitate the water and create more of the vital oxygen your fish needs.

Indoor fish tanks and aquariums can also suffer in the sunshine. Keep them in a cool area away from windows and direct sunlight to prevent overheating and keep an eye on the temperature. Warmer weather can also make algae grow more quickly so you might need to give your pet’s home a good clean more often.

… and dogs,

rabbits and fish!

Ponds and aquariums

Don’t forget about your fishy friends as the weather gets warmer.

Outdoor ponds can get very warm if they’re in direct sunlight so create a shaded area over the pond to keep the water temperature down. Fences, hedges or trellises all make great sun screens but a few tall pot plants are just as good and can be moved throughout the day to keep fish cool. If possible, make sure ponds have a deeper area where fish can shelter in the cooler depths in hot weather.

Rising temperatures can also reduce the oxygen levels in ponds and leave your fish gasping for breath. Submerged plants are good for shade but they also use up the oxygen in your pond at night. Keep plants trimmed back and consider installing an air pump or a water feature like a fountain or waterfall to agitate the water and create more of the vital oxygen your fish needs.

Indoor fish tanks and aquariums can also suffer in the sunshine. Keep them in a cool area away from windows and direct sunlight to prevent overheating and keep an eye on the temperature. Warmer weather can also make algae grow more quickly so you might need to give your pet’s home a good clean more often.

Everyone loves being out in the sunshine but keeping your precious pets cool on hot summer days can be tricky. Hot weather and fur isn’t a great combination for our dogs, cats and small pets – but birds and even fish can suffer as the temperature soars. So, how can you help pets cool down when the sun is out?

Hot, cross bunnies

Rabbits (and guinea pigs) are prone to sunstroke and can quickly overheat in hot weather. Move hutches to a shady area and ensure part of their run is covered to protect them from the sun. Make sure they always have plenty of fresh water to drink, and give them something cool to lie against in really hot weather – a bottle filled with ice and wrapped in a cloth will help them feel more comfortable.

Frozen feasts

Try these summer snacks for the coolest pets in town.

Yog-berry frosties

Fill an ice cube tray with a mixture of unsweetened yoghurt and fruit. Freeze overnight for a cool, lickable treat.

Chicken pup-sicles

Mix cooked, chopped chicken with some pureed fruit and a bit of water. Put the mixture into moulds, push a bone-shaped dog biscuit in the top to hold them with and pop in the freezer.

Moggie morsels

Cool kitties will love small, frozen patties of their favourite wet food (smooth is best). Add crumbled cat biscuits for extra crunch.

Veg-tastic

Dogs can chow down on a chilled carrot for a cheap and easy way to beat the heat.

ice ‘n’ easy

Grab a bowl, fill it three-quarters full with water and place in the freezer overnight. Put it beside your pet’s regular water bowl and as the ice melts, they’ll have a second bowl of cool water during the day.

Frozen feasts

Try these summer snacks for the coolest pets in town.

Yog-berry frosties

Fill an ice cube tray with a mixture of unsweetened yoghurt and fruit. Freeze overnight for a cool, lickable treat.

Chicken pup-sicles

Mix cooked, chopped chicken with some pureed fruit and a bit of water. Put the mixture into moulds, push a bone-shaped dog biscuit in the top to hold them with and pop in the freezer.

Moggie morsels

Cool kitties will love small, frozen patties of their favourite wet food (smooth is best). Add crumbled cat biscuits for extra crunch.

Veg-tastic

Dogs can chow down on a chilled carrot for a cheap and easy way to beat the heat.

ice ‘n’ easy

Grab a bowl, fill it three-quarters full with water and place in the freezer overnight. Put it beside your pet’s regular water bowl and as the ice melts, they’ll have a second bowl of cool water during the day.

Water safety and dogs

Splashing around in water is the perfect way for hot hounds to cool down in the hot days of summer. Swimming is excellent exercise and a great alternative to walking in the summer heat. Whether they’re heading down to the beach for a wallow in the waves or just dipping their paws in a pond, make sure you know how to keep your pet safe and healthy around water.

Hot, cross bunniesRabbits (and guinea pigs) are prone to sunstroke and can quickly overheat in hot weather. Move hutches to a shady area and ensure part of their run is covered to protect them from the sun. Make sure they always have plenty of fresh water to drink, and give them something cool to lie against in really hot weather – a bottle filled with ice and wrapped in a cloth will help them feel more comfortable.Not all dogs like to swim. If yours doesn’t, don’t force them, and never throw a dog into water.
Be wary of tides at the beach and watch out for currents in rivers.
Drinking salt water isn’t good for dogs and is likely to make them sick. Bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl with you for a day at the beach.
Wash salt and sand off your dog’s coat after swimming to prevent it drying and irritating their skin.
Make sure your dog has access to some shade on the beach to avoid heatstroke.
Check freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and canals to make sure they are clean before letting your dog dive in. Some types of algae, including blue-green algae, are toxic to dogs. If your dog swims in algae-contaminated water, contact your vet immediately.

Dogs can and do drown in rivers and the sea. If your dog has inhaled water, contact your vet, as they can suffer complications like pneumonia.
Sadly, each year dog owners drown trying to rescue their pets. Don’t risk dangerous situations.

Frozen feasts

Try these summer snacks for the coolest pets in town.

Yog-berry frosties

Fill an ice cube tray with a mixture of unsweetened yoghurt and fruit. Freeze overnight for a cool, lickable treat.

Chicken pup-sicles

Mix cooked, chopped chicken with some pureed fruit and a bit of water. Put the mixture into moulds, push a bone-shaped dog biscuit in the top to hold them with and pop in the freezer.

Moggie morsels

Cool kitties will love small, frozen patties of their favourite wet food (smooth is best). Add crumbled cat biscuits for extra crunch.

Veg-tastic

Dogs can chow down on a chilled carrot for a cheap and easy way to beat the heat.

ice ‘n’ easy

Grab a bowl, fill it three-quarters full with water and place in the freezer overnight. Put it beside your pet’s regular water bowl and as the ice melts, they’ll have a second bowl of cool water during the day.

Everyone loves being out in the sunshine but keeping your precious pets cool on hot summer days can be tricky. Hot weather and fur isn’t a great combination for our dogs, cats and small pets – but birds and even fish can suffer as the temperature soars. So, how can you help pets cool down when the sun is out?

Cool for cats …

… and dogs,

rabbits and fish!

Water safety and dogs

Splashing around in water is the perfect way for hot hounds to cool down in the hot days of summer. Swimming is excellent exercise and a great alternative to walking in the summer heat. Whether they’re heading down to the beach for a wallow in the waves or just dipping their paws in a pond, make sure you know how to keep your pet safe and healthy around water.

Not all dogs like to swim. If yours doesn’t, don’t force them, and never throw a dog into water.
Be wary of tides at the beach and watch out for currents in rivers.
Drinking salt water isn’t good for dogs and is likely to make them sick. Bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl with you for a day at the beach.
Wash salt and sand off your dog’s coat after swimming to prevent it drying and irritating their skin.
Make sure your dog has access to some shade on the beach to avoid heatstroke.
Check freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and canals to make sure they are clean before letting your dog dive in. Some types of algae, including blue-green algae, are toxic to dogs. If your dog swims in algae-contaminated water, contact your vet immediately.

Dogs can and do drown in rivers and the sea. If your dog has inhaled water, contact your vet, as they can suffer complications like pneumonia.
Sadly, each year dog owners drown trying to rescue their pets. Don’t risk dangerous situations.

Hot, cross bunnies

Rabbits (and guinea pigs) are prone to sunstroke and can quickly overheat in hot weather. Move hutches to a shady area and ensure part of their run is covered to protect them from the sun. Make sure they always have plenty of fresh water to drink, and give them something cool to lie against in really hot weather – a bottle filled with ice and wrapped in a cloth will help them feel more comfortable.

Frozen feasts

Try these summer snacks for the coolest pets in town.

Yog-berry frosties

Fill an ice cube tray with a mixture of unsweetened yoghurt and fruit. Freeze overnight for a cool, lickable treat.

Chicken pup-sicles

Mix cooked, chopped chicken with some pureed fruit and a bit of water. Put the mixture into moulds, push a bone-shaped dog biscuit in the top to hold them with and pop in the freezer.

Moggie morsels

Cool kitties will love small, frozen patties of their favourite wet food (smooth is best). Add crumbled cat biscuits for extra crunch.

Veg-tastic

Dogs can chow down on a chilled carrot for a cheap and easy way to beat the heat.

ice ‘n’ easy

Grab a bowl, fill it three-quarters full with water and place in the freezer overnight. Put it beside your pet’s regular water bowl and as the ice melts, they’ll have a second bowl of cool water during the day.

Everyone loves being out in the sunshine but keeping your precious pets cool on hot summer days can be tricky. Hot weather and fur isn’t a great combination for our dogs, cats and small pets – but birds and even fish can suffer as the temperature soars. So, how can you help pets cool down when the sun is out?

Water safety and dogs

Splashing around in water is the perfect way for hot hounds to cool down in the hot days of summer. Swimming is excellent exercise and a great alternative to walking in the summer heat. Whether they’re heading down to the beach for a wallow in the waves or just dipping their paws in a pond, make sure you know how to keep your pet safe and healthy around water.

Not all dogs like to swim. If yours doesn’t, don’t force them, and never throw a dog into water.
Be wary of tides at the beach and watch out for currents in rivers.
Drinking salt water isn’t good for dogs and is likely to make them sick. Bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl with you for a day at the beach.
Wash salt and sand off your dog’s coat after swimming to prevent it drying and irritating their skin.
Make sure your dog has access to some shade on the beach to avoid heatstroke.
Check freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and canals to make sure they are clean before letting your dog dive in. Some types of algae, including blue-green algae, are toxic to dogs. If your dog swims in algae-contaminated water, contact your vet immediately.

Dogs can and do drown in rivers and the sea. If your dog has inhaled water, contact your vet, as they can suffer complications like pneumonia.
Sadly, each year dog owners drown trying to rescue their pets. Don’t risk dangerous situations.

Frozen feasts

Try these summer snacks for the coolest pets in town.

Yog-berry frosties

Fill an ice cube tray with a mixture of unsweetened yoghurt and fruit. Freeze overnight for a cool, lickable treat.

Chicken pup-sicles

Mix cooked, chopped chicken with some pureed fruit and a bit of water. Put the mixture into moulds, push a bone-shaped dog biscuit in the top to hold them with and pop in the freezer.

Moggie morsels

Cool kitties will love small, frozen patties of their favourite wet food (smooth is best). Add crumbled cat biscuits for extra crunch.

Veg-tastic

Dogs can chow down on a chilled carrot for a cheap and easy way to beat the heat.

ice ‘n’ easy

Grab a bowl, fill it three-quarters full with water and place in the freezer overnight. Put it beside your pet’s regular water bowl and as the ice melts, they’ll have a second bowl of cool water during the day.

Frozen feasts

Try these summer snacks for the coolest pets in town.

Yog-berry frosties

Fill an ice cube tray with a mixture of unsweetened yoghurt and fruit. Freeze overnight for a cool, lickable treat.

Chicken pup-sicles

Mix cooked, chopped chicken with some pureed fruit and a bit of water. Put the mixture into moulds, push a bone-shaped dog biscuit in the top to hold them with and pop in the freezer.

Moggie morsels

Cool kitties will love small, frozen patties of their favourite wet food (smooth is best). Add crumbled cat biscuits for extra crunch.

Veg-tastic

Dogs can chow down on a chilled carrot for a cheap and easy way to beat the heat.

ice ‘n’ easy

Grab a bowl, fill it three-quarters full with water and place in the freezer overnight. Put it beside your pet’s regular water bowl and as the ice melts, they’ll have a second bowl of cool water during the day.