Hot dogs

We are absolutely loving this sunny weather here at the Oakeley Arms Hotel in Snowdonia – we can chill in the garden, go for a cooling swim at the beach, jump in the paddling pool or just catch a few sunny rays and top up the tan. And the heatwave is set to continue into the weekend, wahooo!

However, it’s not quite the same story for our four legged friends. Some animals, especially long-haired cats and dogs really struggle as pets in hot weather and they need a bit of extra TLC. Here are our tips for making sure everyone stays happy and healthy in the hot weather…..

• Make sure there is lots of fresh and cold water – just like humans, dogs need to drink more in hot weather so make sure they have a constant and fresh supply. You could even drop an ice cube or two in the bowl so it’s really cool!
• If you’re sitting outside, try and make sure there’s a shady spot for your dog or cat to curl up in out of the sun.
• You might find your pet in unusual places as they look for cool spots all over the house; so if you find moggy in the bathroom sink, or pooch under the bed, try not to shout at them – they are just looking for the coolest place!
• Most dogs will love splashing about in water, so you could let them jump in the paddling pool with the kids, it’s a great way to cool down. If you don’t have a paddling pool then why not try making a fun game out of splashing them (gently at first…) with the garden hosepipe?
• Cats aren’t so keen on getting soaked but you could try rubbing them gently with a damp, cool towel.
• Stay out of the sun during the hottest hours – pooch will thank you if you can take them for a walk first thing in the morning or later on in the evening when it’s cooler. If you have to take them out in the middle of the day, then try and limit the amount of running around and chasing sticks that they do.
• Dogs and cats can get sunburnt too, particularly if they have blue eyes and pale coats. So if you’re outside with them, apply a little sunscreen, especially to sensitive areas like their ears and tops of their noses.
• Try making a doggy ice-pop – put a few biscuits or chews in a small plastic pot of water and freeze overnight. They’ll stay cool trying to lick the ice away to reach the treats!
• You might find that your pets aren’t as hungry during the hot weather. But don’t just leave their food out all day, especially if it’s wet – it’ll attract flies and quickly go off. Try feeding two or three smaller portions rather than one big one a day.
• Try and avoid taking your dog on long car journeys, they will be much happier left in a cool house for a couple of hours than stuck in a hot car. If it’s unavoidable, then try to keep the car cool and airy whilst it’s on the move. Never leave a dog (or cat) in a car on a sunny day, they can quickly overheat.

We hope you all, four-legged friends included, enjoy the sunshine!

Stay cool dude!
Image by Msons on sxc.hu

The above tips are fun guidelines only – the Oakeley Arms cannot be held responsible for any injury, loss or damage resulting from the use of any of the above. Thanks!