With the arrival of successive heat waves hitting the Iberian Peninsula and much of the European continent, the health of our faithful companions is constantly being tested. This is no small matter, as even a slight lapse in attention can have serious consequences. Intense sunlight can trigger heatstroke in a matter of minutes, especially if we are not attentive to the signals our animals send us on a daily basis.
Unlike humans, who have sweat glands all over their bodies, dogs and cats have a much harder time cooling down naturally. Their main system is panting, but this mechanism loses all its effectiveness when Humidity and temperature rise above normalThis causes their body temperature to rise dangerously and can cause irreversible damage to their internal organs.
Cars and journeys: a risky combination
One of the most fatal mistakes that continues to be made every season is leaving the animal alone inside the vehicle, even for a quick five-minute errand. The interior of a car in the sun acts like a veritable oven, reaching temperatures that They can exceed fifty degrees in the blink of an eye, something that is lethal even with the windows slightly open or when parking in areas of apparent shade.
Besides temperature, physical safety during travel is vital to ensure your vacation doesn't end in an unnecessary scare. Allowing your pet to roam freely in the vehicle is a danger to all occupants; therefore, experts insist on using a restraint system. double-anchor harnesses, stable pet carriers, or divider grids that prevent distractions to the driver and protect the animal from any sudden braking or unexpected collision on the road.
Home remedies to keep them fresh and active
At home, common sense is our best ally in effectively combating the summer heat. It's essential to create sheltered areas where air circulates well, closing blinds during the hottest hours of the day and, if possible, leaving a fan or air conditioning on at a moderate temperature. It's also highly recommended to offer them Fresh and safe fruit, such as frozen apple or pear pieceswhich serve both as entertainment and as an extra source of water.
However, you have to be very careful with some practices that seem good but aren't. Veterinarians completely advise against giving them ice directly to chew on, since They could suffer fractures in their teeth due to the hardness of the ice cube. Instead, it is preferable to wet their paws and abdomen with lukewarm or cool water to help them lower their body temperature in a much more gradual and safe way.
Health planning and breeds with special needs
Before embarking on a trip through Europe or different regions of Spain, it's advisable to visit a clinic beforehand to update your microchip and vaccinations. Not all geographical areas present the same risks; for example, the incidence of parasites such as mosquitoes that transmit leishmaniasis It varies greatly depending on the destination, so adjusting the preventative treatment is a step we should not skip under any circumstances.
Special attention is needed for brachycephalic breeds, such as bulldogs and pugs, whose facial structure makes breathing extremely difficult in hot environments. These dogs, along with older or overweight animals, They have a much lower tolerance for physical exertion. In summer, walks should be strictly limited to the early morning or late evening, when the asphalt no longer burns their paw pads.
Facing the warmer months of the year requires extra vigilance and meticulous planning, from researching emergency veterinarians in your vacation destination to constantly monitoring your pet's hydration. The key to enjoying this time without incident lies in... adapt our pace to the well-being of the animalsavoiding stressful situations and ensuring they always have a shady place to rest, as their ability to recover from extreme heat is much more limited than ours.
