Summer months bring hot weather and also holidays. What sort of nutrition do animals require during this period? Is it necessary to change their diet on hot days? And what is most important during hot temperatures? We have discussed this topic with the nutritionist Martin Kváš.
.jpg/600x480/FIT)
Let's start with dogs. Is it necessary to change their feeding routine during the summer months?
A change in feeding rituals is not only unnecessary, it could even have a negative effect on the dog. Dogs prefer unchanging rituals, therefore the dish, feeding time, etc. should stay the same even on holiday.
Can dogs be cooled down during hot days using a specific diet?
A diet can't cool dogs down in any way. Make sure that on hot days the dog has plenty of shade and a place to rest. It is not ideal to organise a long walk with your dog on hot days. Having your dog clipped is certainly a very bad idea. The coat is a significant factor of thermal regulation. Even though we humans don't believe it much, a long thick coat can protect dogs from overheating. Short-haired breeds should be protected with clothes.
Should there be something different included in the summer diet?
Changing the diet completely in the summer is not necessary. If the dog retains at least a little appetite, he can have his regular food even during the summer.
How to ensure that dogs drink enough water and aren't dehydrated?
Dogs must have constant access to water and the water should be fresh. During a walk, dogs should be allowed to drink regularly. If they don't drink every time, it's not a problem. Not drinking doesn't mean that they are not thirsty. They could get distracted by something more important and drinking isn't on their list of things to do at that time. The interval for the next drink should therefore be shorter.
How can I tell that a dog is too hot and needs cooling down?
When a dog is in danger of overheating, when he's really hot, he starts to "vent" in a specific way. Usually, the dog pulls the corners of his mouth back, in order to enlarge the air passage for cooling down. Very often, the dog lets his tongue hang loose in one corner of his mouth, enlarging the area for the moisture to evaporate, which cools him down. In this situation, the owner of the dog should quickly find some shade and allow the dog to cool down a bit. Misconceptions, such as that water will cool the dog down, should be avoided. It is partly true, but it's only effective for a short time. The wet coat represents a large surface for evaporation, which cools the dog down and the body starts reacting like in winter, by producing heat and the dog can, in fact, overheat. After a swim, the owner should dry the dog or at least leave him in the shade.
Do cats require a diet change in warmer weather?
Due to their origin, cats cope with heat very well. We've all seen pictures of cats enjoying the scorching sun. It is important to ensure that cats have constant access to water.
Is there anything that should be increased in their summer diet?
It is definitely important to ensure that the animal is drinking enough. Water is a decisive factor in their thermal regulation and if their body doesn't receive a sufficient amount, it can have very unpleasant consequences.
What should we concentrate on the most in terms of a summer diet?
Especially with cooked food, it is important to ensure a sufficient supply of electrolytes, which evaporate from the body in hot temperatures. Dogs, in particular, lose a large amount of water due to evaporation. Those who have had a dog in their car in the summer know, how they can steam up the windows even in direct sunlight.
Kitten Lady describes her activities as kittens’ advocacy and humane education. This all is done by young beautiful Hannah Shaw. She’s a kitten rescuer, spreads the principles of humanity and is an unwavering advocate of animal rights. She decided to...
Several kinds of hedgehog are kept as pets. The most common one is the four-toed hedgehog or an African pygmy hedgehog in other words. This pet which is not very common but is becoming more and more popular can live up to 9 years in captivity and...
More than one artist fell in love with these creatures and looked for inspiration for work in them. One of them was Ernest Hemingway. He is the author of the well-known saying “One cat just leads to another”. He really kept a large number of cats (in...
We have an active and healthy lifestyle. Or at least we try to have. In relation to that, we don’t only think about our own food but also about our dogs’ food. The trend of barfing has already come to the Czech Republic, too. It is a method of feeding...
If you go camping for the first time, it is good to prepare for all various reactions of your furry friend. Do you travel with it by car and by public transport with no problems? Is your dog okay when not sleeping at home, e.g. in a mountain cabin? It...
As the name of this breed suggests, you can’t expect much hair on an American hairless terrier. This small or medium size muscled dog has hair only on its muzzle and eyebrows. But the interesting thing is that puppies are born with an undercoat which...
Let us get this straight, what is monoprotein food? It is wet food (i.e. cans and pouches) which contains only one type of meat, muscles and bowels. And why is it better than common wet food?
A meat bomb in a form of a dog paté or can doesn’t have to be only a reward. If you are planning to go on a long hike – to the mountains or to the valley – you can make the use of a dog meat can. Dogs in move, usually when doing any sport outside, need...
The cause of diabetes is a lack of insulin (a pancreas hormone) or the inability of the body to use it effectively (i.e. the resistance of tissues towards insulin). And it doesn’t matter if you’re a person or an animal. With diabetes, the sugar is...
Runner Dion Leonard could talk for hours about the bond which is created between a man and a dog and also about how an unknown Asian crossbreed dog becomes one of the most famous dogs on planet Earth. He bumped into a dog companion at the ultra-trial...
Even when you cannot or don’t want to take your dog on your holiday with you, you still have many options what to do with it. You can take him to your relatives, accommodate it in a dog hotel, use dog-sitting and other things. It’s not that easy with...
Cats can also be heroes and put their lives at risk to save someone from risky or life-threatening situations. The first cat hero I will introduce you to is Scarlett. She showed her heroism in the most natural form – she saved her kittens. She took...
