Summer Tips

WHAT TO AVOID DURING SUMMER

1. Walking your pets during the day!

During the day, it is too hot to take your pets for a walk, even a short one. Try early in the mornings or later in the evenings.

• If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot on the concrete or sand, it’s too hot for them.
• If you cannot place the back of your hand on concrete for any longer than a few seconds, it is too hot for your pets’ paws.
• Our sand and concrete has iron in it which heats up very quickly and can cause a lot of damage to the pads of your pets’ feet.

2. Don’t leave your pets in the car!

Especially during the summer months, it is way too hot to take your pets in the car.

• On a warm day, the inside of your car heats up very quickly. On a 30°C day, the temperature inside your car can reach 39°C in less than 5 minutes, and in 30 minutes, it goes up to 49°C. This happens even in the shade and if your windows are down.
• Heat exhaustion can be deadly.
• The Police and SPCA can issue fines of up to $300 to anyone who leaves their dogs in a car.

3. Sunburn

Your pets can suffer from sunburn too! Pets who are fair-skinned or light-haired are particularly susceptible to the sun’s harsh rays. Skin cancer can occur commonly in dogs and cats, and even though the fur provides some sun protection, your pet needs a sunblock (not human sunblock) applied every 3-4 hours on areas of their body that have no, or little, hair-covered spots.

4. Karaka Berries and their seeds

This fruit is native to New Zealand and seen all over New Plymouth. The Karaka berry and seed are highly TOXIC to dogs. If you are concerned your dog may have ingested part of this fruit, call your Vet immediately.