These 13 tips will keep your pet safe in this heatwave

As temperatures rise in Ireland this week, the ISPCA is sharing some tips and advice to help keep your pets safe during the hot weather.

ISPCA Public Relations Manager Carmel Murray id, ''We all love the summer sunshine but please plan in advance if you are bringing your pet anywhere with you in hot weather ensuring they won’t be left in a hot car for any length of time.

We want to protect our pets especially in warm weather – so follow these rules and keep them safe.

1. Avoid walking your dog during intense heat, early morning or evening walks is always best when it’s cooler. 

2. If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws. 

3. Always have fresh cool water available and access to shade from the sun.

Carmel said, ''If your pet is showing signs of severe overheating, move them to a cooler area immediately, spray with cool (not cold) water, and give a small drink of water and contact your vet.''

She continued, ''It is important to know the signs of overheating such as increased heart rate with excessive panting and drooling, drowsy or out of sorts, vomiting or diarrhoea”.

4  Don't leave dogs in hot cars. 

5. It is important to always have fresh water available for your pet; refresh and refill more often than on a normal day and leave extra if you are going out. 

6. Make sure they have access to shade and keep them indoors in cooler rooms when the heat becomes too extreme.

7. All caged animals, even if they are indoors, should be kept out of direct sunlight.

8. Keep an eye on aviaries or birdcages, which are near to a window.

9. Remember household chemicals and common summer foods can be toxic to pets. If using sunscreen or insect repellent, please ensure the product is labelled as safe for use on pets.

10. If you are unsure about certain products consult your vet. Alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, chocolate, coconut, grapes or raisins, onions, raw meat or excessively salty foods or foods containing the sweetener xylitol can be toxic or cause serious health issues for your pet. 

11. Keep them away from your pet during summer barbecues.

12. If you do witness an animal locked in a car on a hot day, try to establish how long the dog has been left in the car first, look for a pay and display a ticket on the dashboard. 

13. If the pet is showing signs of distress and overheating contact the local Garda station immediately or dial 999 /112 in an emergency and call our National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515.

Enjoy this bit of nice weather and just ask sure to keep on eye on your pets – you want them to enjoy it too.