Just like us, our pets will suffer in the heat. They possibly suffer more than we do. In the heat we are able to wear thinner clothing and find ways to keep ourselves cool. Our pets however don't have this option. They are constantly in a fur coat and rely on us to either thin it out or cut it. They rely on us to provide them with some way of cooling, such as a fan.
Just like us, our pets are at risk of having heat stroke, and this (just like us) can make them very ill or possibly kill them. In this post I will be stating the correct temperatures (hot and cold) for your pets.
Hamsters: The safe temperature range for your hamster is between 18⁰C/64.4⁰F and 24⁰C/75.2⁰F If the temperature goes below 18⁰C, hot water bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage or the heating can be put on. If the temperature goes above 24⁰C, the windows can be opened, a fan can be placed in the room, frozen water in bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage (wrapped in a towel/placed in a box to prevent spillage), any slate tiles/coasters can be placed in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour.
Dogs: Dogs can have a harder time regulating their temperature. Their main source of sweat excretion is through their pads. If their paws are constantly on warm ground they will not be able to get rid of their sweat, which then means they cannot cool down. The size of the dog and the shape of their face also impacts this, if they are a brachycephalic (short snouted, e.g. pugs, french bulldogs) they are more at risk of over heating. The bigger the dog, the quicker they will overheat. The safe temperature range for small and medium dogs is between 15⁰C/59⁰F and 21⁰C/69.8⁰F. The safe temperature for large dogs is between 15⁰C/59⁰F and 18⁰C/64.4⁰F. To help keep your dog warm during winter months you can wrap them in blankets or turn on the heating. To keep them cool during summer months you can keep their fur short, use fans, have windows open.
Rabbits: The safe temperature range for your rabbit is between 10⁰C/50⁰F and 20⁰C/68⁰F. During the winter months your rabbit will need to be brought inside out of the cold. If the temperature goes below 10⁰C, hot water bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage or the heating can be put on. If the temperature goes above 20⁰C, the windows can be opened, a fan can be placed in the room, frozen water in bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage (wrapped in a towel/placed in a box to prevent spillage), any slate tiles/coasters can be placed in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour.
Rats: The safe temperature range for your rat is between 18⁰C/64.4⁰F and 26⁰C/78.8⁰F. If the temperature goes below 18⁰C, hot water bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage or the heating can be put on. If the temperature goes above 26⁰C, the windows can be opened, a fan can be placed in the room, frozen water in bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage (wrapped in a towel/placed in a box to prevent spillage), any slate tiles/coasters can be placed in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour.
Gerbils: The safe temperature range for your gerbil is between 20⁰C/68⁰F and 24⁰C/75.2⁰F. If the temperature goes below 20⁰C, hot water bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage or the heating can be put on. If the temperature goes above 24⁰C, the windows can be opened, a fan can be placed in the room, frozen water in bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage (wrapped in a towel/placed in a box to prevent spillage), any slate tiles/coasters can be placed in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour.
Guinea pigs: The safe temperature range for the guinea pig is between 17⁰C/62.6⁰F and 20⁰C/68⁰F. During the winter months your guinea pig will need to be brought inside out of the cold. If the temperature goes below 17⁰C, hot water bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage or the heating can be put on. If the temperature goes above 20⁰C, the windows can be opened, a fan can be placed in the room, frozen water in bottles can be placed around the outside of the cage (wrapped in a towel/placed in a box to prevent spillage), any slate tiles/coasters can be placed in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour.
For all animals a constant supply of water is necessary, during warmer months water intake needs to be monitored more closely.
Oxbrow Animal Health
Confident Canines
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