23/06/2026
☀️🌡️ Heatwave Warning for Pets 🌡️☀️
With temperatures set to soar over the coming days, it’s important to remember that our pets can all suffer in the heat.
We’ve put together some simple tips below to help keep your furry friends safe during the hot weather. 👇
* Keep indoor spaces cool by closing curtains, using fans, and maintaining good airflow throughout the home.
* Ensure pets have constant access to multiple sources of fresh, cool water.
* Provide cool resting areas with cooling mats, damp towels, and cooling coats or bandanas (keep these damp at all times).
* Create plenty of shaded areas in the garden and supervise pets closely when outdoors.
* Set up paddling pools or splash mats to help pets stay cool.
* Walk dogs early in the morning or later in the evening, avoiding the hottest part of the day.
* Offer frozen pet-safe fruit and vegetable ice pops as a refreshing treat.
* Freeze Lick-e-Lix treats to make tasty cat ice pops.
If you notice signs such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, weakness, vomiting, collapse, or difficulty breathing, seek veterinary attention immediately.
🐰 Rabbit owners: be extra vigilant for flystrike 🪰
Warm weather significantly increases the risk of flystrike, a serious and potentially fatal condition where flies lay eggs on a rabbit and the resulting maggots cause severe injury.
To help prevent flystrike:
* Check your rabbit’s rear end at least twice daily, especially during hot weather.
* Keep hutches, runs, and living areas clean and dry, removing soiled bedding regularly.
* Ensure your rabbit’s bottom stays clean and free from urine or faecal build-up.
* Provide plenty of fresh water and shade to help keep rabbits comfortable in the heat.
* Maintain a healthy diet to support good digestion and prevent sticky droppings.
Important: Flystrike can develop very quickly and is a veterinary emergency. If you notice eggs, maggots, unusual odours, lethargy, or any signs of discomfort, seek veterinary attention immediately .