With the UK in the middle of a heatwave and warnings about too much sun exposure and high temperatures, leading veterinary charity PDSA is urging people to take care of their pets too.

Summer can be a wonderful for the nation’s pets to enjoy long walks, playtime in the park and lazing in the garden but many owners are not aware of the hazards to animals, particularly in very hot weather. If pets are exposed to too much sun, it can cause heatstroke and can cause a pet’s skin, particularly delicate areas such as the nose or ears, to become sunburnt. Long-term sun exposure can prove fatal, as like people, pets can also develop malignant skin cancer.

Pets can also develop a skin disease called solar dermatitis, caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It can affect dogs on their nose, trunk or limbs and in cats solar dermatitis normally affects those with white fur or damaged skin that is not protected by enough hair.

To prevent your cats and dogs getting sunburnt, you need to reduce their exposure to the sun, especially between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm. Also ask your vet to recommend a suitable sun block, as they will also be able to identify the areas of your pet’s skin that are most likely to burn or be damaged.

To help keep your pets healthy and happy during the summer particularly in very hot weather, PDSA has put together some useful tips for owners.

1. Never leave pets in cars, not even for just a few minutes with windows open as temperatures can soar dangerously high, causing potentially fatal heat-stroke.

2. Don’t let pets sit out in strong sun, or leave hutches and bird cages in direct sunlight.

3. Use a suitable pet-safe sunscreen as advised by your vet.

4. Long-haired pets may need their fur trimming to prevent them from over-heating.

5. Walk your dog before 8am and after 5pm and only when outside temperatures have cooled as hot road surfaces, pavements and sand can burn a pet’s feet.

6. Make sure pets have access to plenty of clean, fresh water at all times that is changed regularly throughout the day.

7. Make sure you regularly treat your pets and home for fleas as they are a particular problem during the summer, particularly in hot weather.

8. Leftover pet food can quickly go off in hot weather so discard any scraps as soon as possible to avoid flies.

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