Tigger Club News
By Animals - For Animals
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Safety Tips for going out when it is hot and advice for heatstroke
A few things to remind your humans about when it is hot outside.

General information:
A few things to remind your humans about when it is hot outside.
Get them to check the ground where they will be taking you. If they place the back of their hand on the ground and it feels hot, then it is going to probably burn our paws.
If you still cannot convince them tell your humans to walk barefoot with you for 5 minutes, they will soon appreciate where they walk you.

Make sure they bring water for you. They need to make sure they do not store it in the backpack or the car where it is in the sunlight or can heat up. There is nothing worse than drinking hot water.
 
Sun block. Yes it may sound strange but some of us have light fur or even no fur in places so make sure your humans use animal safe sun block. They may prefer looking like lobsters but we don't. 

If heatstroke is suspected:
If your human suspects an animal is suffering from heatstroke get them to seek advice from a vet.
Some animals are more prone to getting affected by the heat. Animals with long/thick coats, young, old or ill,  short or 'flat faced', any animal on medication.

Warning signs of heatstroke in animals:
- panting heavily
- drooling excessively
- lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
- collapsed or vomiting

Gradually reducing the temperature of an animal:
- move he animal to a shaded area
- cool the animal with wet towels - not freezing cold water as it may shock the animal and make things worse.
- use a cooling fan - preferably one that turns so that the cold air is not constantly on the animal.
- make sure water is available but do not let the animal drink loads at once.

If your human has had to cool down an animal this way it is important a vet is consulted in case further treatment is needed.