Hot weather can make pets depressed

Veterinary Doctor Serkan Eroğlu warned about how to protect animals from the recent oppressive heat and debunked common misconceptions. Just like in the whole country, scorching heat is affecting Erzincan as well. The sweltering heat felt during the summer months also affects animals as much as humans. Some common misconceptions believed by pet owners during hot days can harm their beloved pets. It is crucial for animal lovers to pay attention, especially regarding nutrition. Veterinary Doctor Serkan Eroğlu provided recommendations on what to be cautious about during the summer months and issued warnings. Eroğlu mentioned that dry food would be healthier than other food options during this period, stating, ‘We want dry food to be constantly available to our pets. We recommend dry food as it prevents their meals from spoiling. The most common issue we see during the summer months is excessive water intake. Especially, people prefer giving ice-cold water thinking it would help cool the pets down. However, ice can cause cuts in the mouth area due to its sharpness. We strictly advise against giving icy drinks.’ Eroğlu also pointed out that ‘Skin bags in animals create a sauna effect.’ Mentioning that ice can cause wounds in the mouth area, Eroğlu suggested using a ‘cold towel’ to cool down pets. Particularly for pet owners planning long trips with their vehicles, Eroğlu warned not to carry their pets in leather bags and said, ‘Our pets may feel overwhelmed by the heat, and to cool them down, we can wipe them with a dry towel we put in the freezer. We definitely do not recommend taking them out between 12.00 and 14.00. If we are going on long journeys in vehicles, we do not recommend keeping the pets inside bags. There is a lot of heat recently. Sometimes their sweat glands are not enough for this heat. This situation can lead to depression. Especially speaking about bags, leather bags create a sauna effect. During the summer, we should not shave our pets. It can be harmful, especially in places where the sun is intense. Research has proven that shaved skins are more affected by the sun’s heat and rays. Even if shaved, pets should be taken outside with special clothes.’