There is lots of conflicting advice online – some saying you should provide ice blocks, frozen blankets and iced drinks to your pets and animals, others saying it can do more harm than good!
So, what is the truth?…
Most animals are able to maintain their own body temperature on a hot day provided they have three key things:
water
Shade
Ventilation
These are absolutely essential to allow your horse, dog or chickens to cope in high temperatures, and most of the time, they don’t need us to provide anything else. Remember, we do live in the UK, and it is rarely anything like as hot as in other parts of the world.
Should you give your animals ice? Providing ice in the form of treats can be refreshing, but just like us eating an ice lolly, the effects won’t last for long. Licking or pecking ice will lower the body temperature for a short while but it will soon rise up again. If you were to supply iced treats regularly throughout the day, the constant lowering and then increasing of body temperature may actually put more stress on the body than staying hot. As long as your animals have shade, ventilation and water they will do just fine.
Key points:
- Avoid exercising your dogs and horses in the heat of the day. Consider if they need exercising at all?
- Replenish water bowls regularly. Water in buckets and dishes can warm up quite quickly so replenishing it with fresh tap water will keep it cool. Position water in the shade and make sure it is easy to reach. Adding blocks of ice will keep it cool for longer.
- If you are worried your pet may have heat stroke, don’t try giving it ice, call your Vet immediately
- Dogs and horses may appreciate a cooling bath, but chickens’ feathers aren’t designed for water. A dust bath will be much better for them.
- Allow your animals to enjoy a quiet day – a good snooze in the shade will keep them calm and cool – keep an eye on them, but let them relax.
- And, don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated!