The multi-day heatwave conditions have arrived this summer, with temperatures soaring past 45°C [113°F] in some regions. While we may head to shopping centers or cinemas to stay comfortable, we need to consider the heat impacts that other animals can face.
Pets, wildlife, and livestock face heat stress, which can exacerbate existing health conditions and increase the risk of death if they get too hot. RSPCA Victoria received 20 reports of pets left in the dangerous heat without access to shelter or water before midday on Wednesday alone.
Heat poses real and significant challenges to animals, but you can help. Here are some useful tips on how to help animals cope when temperatures soar.
Why extreme heat hits our pets harder than us
When people get hot, we can strip off clothing and we sweat. As the moisture evaporates from your skin, you cool down. But animals such as cats and dogs can’t do this.
Dogs rely on panting to regulate their body temperature. Breathing rapidly with their mouths open helps moisture evaporate from their tongues and the lining of their lungs, reducing heat. Although dogs do have sweat glands between their paw pads, these play a minimal role in cooling.
Cats are better at conserving water than cooling down quickly, a nod to their evolution from desert-dwelling ancestors. They lick themselves to spread saliva on their fur, which cools them when it evaporates. They also seek shade and reduce activity when it’s hot.
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