summer Archives - Jetpets AU

How To Keep Your Pets Cool on Hot Days

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Jetpets

Summer is well and truly here, and while we love the warmer weather, the holiday season, lazy days by the beach and more, it’s important to remember to keep our pets cool, especially in hot temperatures.

Not sure what you need to do?

Here are a few great tips and tricks to help you keep your pets cool, hydrated and healthy during the warmer weather.

(And for our friends in the Northern Hemisphere, we haven’t forgotten you! Click here to read our top tips to keep your pets toasty warm over the cooler months. )

DIY ice treats:

If you’re after a fun way to keep your animals cool and hydrated, ice treats are a great idea to motivate your animal to drink water and stay cool in hot weather.

They are easy to make. Simply;

Place your pet’s favourite treats in an ice-cream container.
Fill with water. You may even like to add a little gravy powder for additional flavour.
Freeze.
Once frozen, tip the ice treat out of the container for your dog to enjoy the whole day long!

Kiddie pools:

If you have larger dogs, clam shell kiddie pools are an easy way to keep them cool when it’s hot outside. These pools are fun for your dogs to splash around, keep cool and drink plenty of water at the same time.

Just remember that if your pets share your yard with children, ensure you have all the necessary precautions in place, including fencing, in order to keep children safe around water.

Keep them indoors:

Summer is sure to bring some seriously hot days, so to ensure your pets are safe and healthy throughout these rising temperatures, it’s a great idea to keep them inside if you can, with the air-con on.

Smaller pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and birds are especially sensitive to hot weather and should be moved inside at any sign of high temperatures. Make sure you drape their cages in wet towels and place them in a bathroom or laundry that has cool tiles. Always keep ice packs or frozen water bottles on hand for animals to lean against and to regulate their temperature. Of course plenty of water is a must as well!

Wet their feet:

Another great thing to do on those scorching hot days is to wet your pet’s feet and spray a light misting of water on them. This will dampen them so that their body temperature becomes cooler. Feet are a great body part to focus on cooling as many animals control their temperature through their feet.

Exercise your pets in the morning or late evening:

Just like humans, your animals are susceptible to sunburn, dehydration and overheating. Make sure you walk your pets in the early morning or late evening when the temperature is at its coolest point. A good idea is to take your pets to your local beach, creek or river so they can paddle to cool down and get refreshed!

BBQ’s and Dogs: What is safe for them to eat might surprise you

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Jetpets

With the lovely weather we are experiencing here in Australia we are right in the middle of prime barbecue season and while others around the world are experiencing wintery weather, the love of barbecues (or cook outs) is universal.

Sharing a barbecue in the backyard with your family dog is one of those past times that sticks with you forever but it’s important to know what types of foods are safe to feed to your dog and what foods could cause an adverse reaction to your beloved pet.

We spoke with our Jetpets veterinarian Dr Kes and asked her to give us some advice to make sure your family barbecues are pet friendly this year.

Onions

All members of the onion family (garlic, scallions and shallots included) contain compounds that can cause medical problems for dogs. These compounds cause complications for your dogs red blood cells causing weakness, fatigue and reluctance to move. While the amount required to make your dog sick is significant, it’s best to not take the risk.

Chips, Pretzels and Corn Chips

Chips are not considered a healthy food for humans and the same could be said for dogs due to the high sodium content. Too much sodium in your dog’s diet can cause vomiting and diarrhea and can lead to sodium ion poisoning in extreme cases. So, don’t let your pooch clean up the bag of spilt chips during your barbecue.

Alcohol

Sharing a cold beer with your friends is a great time. Sharing one with your dog can lead to significant problems for your pet. Dogs have a relatively small liver and they have a hard time processing the alcohol in the beer. Liver damage to your dog can be fatal and ensuring that your dog doesn’t lap up a stray beer will make sure they stay healthy.

Chicken Wings

While chicken meat is perfectly safe for your dog to consume problems can arise when dogs are given whole chicken wings to consume. The small bones contained within chicken wings can splinter and crack easily becoming lodged in your dogs throat which can cause breathing problems and can even puncture the dogs digestive tract. Ensure your chicken wing bones find their way into the bin rather than the garden where your dog will go hunting for them later.

Including your pets in your summer holiday plans

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Jetpets

Australia is definitely the lucky country. Our summers are envied around the world, so we might as well make the most of them! Don’t leave your pet out this year – here’s a list of summer holiday activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Day Trips

Taking a day trip with friends and family is a great excuse to get your pet out of the house and out exercising! Most dogs love taking a trip to the beach, whether they like the water or not. Alternatively, you could take your pup on a picnic to a new park. Bring along their favourite ball or a Frisbee, and you’re set up for a day out that the whole family will enjoy!

Camping

Camping is a quintessential part of Australian culture, and Australian summers! Luckily, some campsites do accommodate for the whole family (yep, including furry-family members). Best Friend Holiday Retreat in Tarra Valley, VIC is practically made for pets. Cabins are completely enclosed in fences, there is a dog-playground, hydrobath, and fenced-off exercise areas! Big4 holiday parks also offer a variety of services for pet owners.

Activities

If you’re a movie buff then you’re in luck! Moonlight Cinemas welcome dogs to all of their showings throughout summer. Pack a picnic, and bring your pup along to a movie in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney’s Centennial Park or Perth’s King’s Park.

Holiday

Planning on travelling interstate this summer and don’t want to leave your pet behind? Jetpets Holidays is here to help! Whether you’d like to head to the Hunter Valley, or the Great Ocean Road, Jetpet’s Holidays can help you book a holiday that the whole family (including your pets) will enjoy. Here at Jetpets Holidays, we take care of everything for you and your pets, from booking flights for the whole family, to organising pet travel crates, accommodation, transfers/car hire and other pet services – you name it, we’ve got it covered!

While it’s a lot of fun to spend time outdoors with your pets during summer, it’s important to make sure that they aren’t over-exercising and that they’re staying cool in the hot weather. If you’re travelling with your pet, make sure that they always have access to fresh water and aren’t spending too much time in the sun.

How to keep your pets healthy and happy over the warmer months

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Jetpets

It is no secret that the heat and humidity in summer can be uncomfortable for our pets, so it is important to follow some key pointers to make sure they stay cool, hydrated and safe throughout the warmer months.

Read on for our top tips for keeping your pets healthy and happy in summer.

Keep your pets cool and provide plenty of shade:

Staying cool in summer may seem like a no-brainer for us humans, but sometimes we forget about how the heat may affect our favourite furry friends as well. That’s why this summer make sure your pets stay cool and have access to plenty of shade throughout the day and night. If you are working during the day or if you have to leave your pets alone for a period of time, ensure all pets have access to cool and covered areas in the backyard or inside your house with plenty of water. If you own chickens, a good idea is to wet down their chicken run as chickens stay much cooler when they can sit on the wet ground.

If it’s going to be a sweltering day, it’s best to keep all pets indoors on cool tiled floors and if possible with the air-conditioner left on. Make sure there is enough water available and you can even add ice blocks to their water bowl to make it nice and refreshing.

Don’t leave them in the car:

Leaving our pets in the car during summer can cause them to overheat and become dehydrated. This is true even if the air-conditioning is left on so it’s best to avoid taking them in the car if possible. If you need to take them in the car, don’t leave them unattended and always bring a big supply of water.

Go for swim:

There is nothing that cools pets down more than a swim! If you have a dog, let him or her swim in your pool, at a dog-friendly beach or even down by a local lake or river. This is a great way to encourage them to exercise and stay cool at the same time!

Be wary of hot footpaths:

While it’s still just as important to walk your pets during the summer months, you need to be wary of footpaths, bricks or pebbles which can burn the paws of your pet’s feet. To avoid this, stick to ovals or parks and ensure you always exercise your pets early in the morning or late at night when the sun isn’t as strong.

Watch for signs of dehydration:

It’s always a good idea to know the signs of dehydration and to watch for them during the warmer months so you can spot the signs early on and help your pet. Common telltale signs of an overheated or dehydrated dog is that it will drool excessively, become lethargic and its eyes will be bloodshot. For cats, look for a refusal to eat, dry and tacky gums, or skin that falls slowly back to the body when pinched. If you think your pet may be unwell, please consult your Vet for further advice.

What’s your favourite way to spend a summer’s day with your pet? Let us know on Facebook.

Caring for your pets and native animals in summer

Posted on January 3, 2016 by Jetpets

The weather has officially started to heat up, so it’s essential that we think of our pets during the summer period and keep them safe and cool.

Small pets and some native animals are particularly susceptible to the heat, so it’s vital to plan ahead and follow our easy tips and tricks to care for your pets during the warmer weather.

Read on for our top tips below:

Keep your pets cool and have plenty of shade available:

If you’re away for work during the day, make sure your pets (including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens) have access to cool, covered areas in the backyard or house with a big supply of water. If you have chickens, wet down their chook run as chickens stay much cooler when they can sit on the wet ground.

If it’s going to be a really hot day, it’s best to keep all pets inside on tiled floors with the air-conditioner on, so that you know they will be comfortable and cool all day long. A great tip is to put a few ice blocks into their water bowl so their water stays cooler throughout the day.

Go for a swim:

If you have a dog, why not let them splash around in a nearby lake, river or dog-friendly beach so they can exercise and cool down at the same time. Dogs love to play fetch in the water so bring a ball and we guarantee you’ll be popular!

Be weary of the footpath:

If you’re heading to the lake, river or beach as suggested above, or are just walking your animal around the block, be weary of hot footpaths, pebbles or bricks that can burn the paws of your animal’s feet. Stick to ovals or parks with plenty of grass and covered areas with shade for them to retreat and drink water when required.

Keep them out of the car:

Even with the air-conditioner on, some cars can get extremely hot so it’s best to avoid taking them in the car where possible. If you do need to take them in the car, don’t leave your animals unattended and ensure they have access to water if required.

Make sure they are vaccinated and are up-to-date with their medication:

Summer is a prime time for fleas and ticks to itch and bite your pets, causing added stress and discomfort. Make sure your pets have received recent flea treatments and are up-to-date with their vaccinations so they don’t catch any nasties.

Think of native animals:

During the summer season, we are more likely to see native animals and birds coming out of their hiding places to seek shade and water.

If you live in the country, you may see koalas on the ground as it’s cooler down low and they’ll be looking for water as gum leaves dry out in hot weather. Make sure you leave the koala alone and keep your pets away from them to avoid any unwanted stress. If the koala hasn’t retreated after a period of time, leave a container of cold water at the base of the tree in case it’s thirsty.

For other native animals like birds and lizards, place large, shallow bowls of water in shady places around your backyard to ensure they stay cool and hydrated. Make sure you refill and clean them out daily so there will always be plenty of fresh water to drink!

Be weary of walking through large bushes or long grass in the summer as snakes are much more prominent. Nasty snakebites can be dangerous for humans and pets so it’s best to walk in the evening and avoid these snake hotspots.

What are your top tips for keeping your pets safe and cool in the warmer weather? Let us know on Facebook.

Summer and Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the RSPCA

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Jetpets

Our friends at the RSPCA have reached out to us this month to spread the word about animals in need this season. As you know, rescue pets are close to our hearts here at Jetpets, with our very own animal ambassador Sahara being a rescue dog who was adopted by our Pet Handler Dave!

From November through to January each year, over 4,000 unwanted dogs, cats, kittens and puppies are surrendered throughout NSW alone, with many more nationwide.

There are currently many beautiful animals looking for their forever homes. Please visit the RSPCA’s Adoptapet website today to find your new best friend.

If you are not able to adopt a pet at this time. Another great way of helping animals in need this Christmas would be to make a donation.

Your support will go a long way to helping many animals this Christmas.

Beating The Heat

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Jetpets

Jetpets Vet Dr Gemma shares her tips on how to keep your dog cool in summer.

“Just like we do, dogs feel the heat in summer. Here are my tips for keeping them cool in the warmer months.

It’s especially important to keep your dogs cool in summer, as heat stress in dogs can quickly become critical and can even cause death! Rather than sweating like humans do, dogs can only lose body heat by panting. In hot humid conditions, panting may not be sufficient to keep your dog cool and heat stress can quickly ensue.

Dogs left in hot cars, in direct sunlight or when stressed are at risk.

Jetpets Vet Dr Gemma shares her tips on how to keep your dog cool in summer.

Snub nosed breeds, (for example Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs or Pekinese), overweight, ill or heavily coated dogs are particularly at risk.

The best way to keep your dog cool is to provide a shady spot with a good breeze, (or even a fan and air conditioning on those really hot days) and never leave dogs unattended in cars or other enclosed spaces. Ensure ample fresh water is always available as dogs can become dehydrated when they pant excessively. Also make sure that you restrict exercising to the cooler parts of the day.

If your dog is panting excessively and drooling or has an elevated temperature (>40) then wetting down the dog can assist cooling. If these methods are ineffective or your dogs’ gums look grey or bluish, call the emergency Vet immediately.

Transport dogs with air conditioning and/or the fan on, or keep vehicle windows open. For air transport, book on early/late flights where possible and put a frozen water bottle and/or water bowls in the crate with them.”