From dogs to rabbits: Vet’s expert guide to keep your pet safe this summer

When the sun is shining, worrying stories of dogs left in hot cars or burning their feet on the pavement often make the headlines. Follow this top advice by Dr Julia Mewes to keep your pet safe this summer: Do’s and don’ts for dogs and cats – Barbecues can be the time to relax and enjoy the great outdoors, but don’t leave any chicken bones or kebab skewers lying around – as your dog or cat will be the first to find them! – Keep your barbecue well protected, where your pet won’t stumble into it before it’s cooled down. – Check for any discarded meat, as it can lead to a nasty stomach upset if your pet finds it after it’s been left for a while. – Hot pavements and Astro turf can cause nasty burns for dogs when they reach a high temperature. Test the pavement with your bare foot – and if it’s too hot to keep your foot on, leave your dog walk until later. Plan summer dog walks for early morning and dusk. –Summer walks in fields and parks with long grasses are also the time that dogs may get seeds lodged in their paw, or pick up a tick – so check them regularly. – Keep your pet hydrated with access to plenty of water thoughout the day. – While we sweat from our whole skin, dogs can only sweat through the pads of their feet or pant – and they are wearing a fur coat! So it may be best to leave them at home, rather than taking them to summer events. – If you think your dog has heat stroke, call the vet. If they have collapsed, move them to the shade, offer plenty to drink and use a soggy cloth under their ears and tummy – but don’t make them wet all over, or you could give them hypothermia. You could feed them an ice lolly to help cool down. Hot tips for hutch friends – Don’t let them run out of water during the summer and if they are in a run, make sure there are no parts of the day when they are in full sunlight. – Place covers on runs during the day, if that helps to offer them shade. – Check for fly strike. Bluebottles can cause big problems, so regularly look under your pet’s tail for faeces and urine and keep their hutch, as well as their fur, clean and dry. Advice at monthly talks The Mewes Vets, which has branches in Rottingdean and Haywards Heath, offers independent vet services. Yet Dr Julia Mewes also finds time to give advice at free monthly care talks. – Find out how to care for rabbits at the talk on Wednesday 26 July at Rottingdean Whiteway Centre BN2 7HB, from 6.30-7.30pm. – Then on Wednesday 23 August, prepare for fireworks season from early September to December! – Or on Wednesday 27th September, discover more about ways to help your pet lose weight. Please pre-book your chosen free talk by emailing the surgery at info@themewesvets.co.uk, then leave your pet at home during the session. Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Get in touch The Mewes Vets has been offering veterinary services in the region for many years, and the Haywards Heath branch was recently given an award by Best UK Vets for the 4th time in 5 years, taking Top 25 UK Vets in 2019, 2020 and again this year 2023, as well as the best vets in West Sussex in 2021. To find out more, book an appointment and give your pet the care they deserve at the Rottingdean or Haywards Heath surgery, visit www.themewesvets.co.uk