As temperatures soar, a common issue that all caring pet owners should be aware of is heatstroke (also known as heat stress).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the heat of the summer months, the number of cats and dogs visiting the vet due to this condition rises …
Many pet owners do not even realise their cats and dogs can overheat when the weather is hot, and may only seek treatment at the eleventh hour.
While heat stress is more common in warmer months, it can occur at any time throughout the year even when the weather is mild.
Cats and dogs cannot respond to heat in the same way as humans. They do not have sweat glands all over their bodies like us to regulate temperature, rather only have a few in their feet and around their noses.
Many animals rely on panting and external cooling to lose heat. Their long thick hair coats can also predispose them to heat stroke.
Because they’re not able to cool themselves down as easily as us, we have to be extra careful to provide them with a cool, well-ventilated and shaded environment with access to clean fresh drinking water.
Pets are very susceptible to heat stroke – and it can happen a lot faster than you may think
- RSPCA
Weather outlook for Bellingen Shire:
Temperatures will remain hot around the shire over the next few days.
Saturday is expected to be the peak with 37 degrees in Bellingen and hovering around 38 at Gleniffer.
Dorrigo will have a bit of relief tomorrow (Thursday) with some cloud cover but then rise up to 34 degrees on Saturday.
Strong winds are forecast for Urunga from noon today for the next two days, keeping temperatures in the low 30s. Saturday will be sunny with a top of 33 degrees.
