Warm Weather Harms Pet Health

There is a growing need for the owners to be more conscious of seasonal health issues in respect of their pets. This has been opined by an eminent Veterinarian of the Kansas State University, to whom, though warm weather is welcomed by most people, spring and summer do bring along with them certain dangers to pets. What has been learnt from the studies of Dr. Susan Nelson, Veterinarian and Clinical Assistant Professor at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine is that during the summer months, the saga of heat execution happens to be a most common disorder for the pets. If care is not taken, it may happen that the intense light from the summer sun can damage your pet's skin, including sunburn!

Nelson said, "It's best to exercise pets during the morning or evening hours to avoid the direct sun. It's also crucial to have plenty of fresh water available and shade for protection. Cats tend to handle heat better than dogs, but both should be given extra care. Pets with lighter-colored coats, especially white or shaved animals, need to be kept out of intense light. It's best to keep pets in the shade during peak hours and use sunscreen or a protective jacket. Repeated sun exposure often leads to a serious form of cancer in white cats. Owners should be aware of red patchy areas on the ears and nose." Stating that the summer heat can also be dangerous to the pets' food as well Nelson also said, "Like people, pets naturally eat less during warm weather; however it's important to watch for pet food spoilage in the heat. Canned food should not be left out after feeding because of the warm weather and the amount of insects it will attract."