How does climate change affect your pet?

Did you know that canaries and parakeets are susceptible to worms? These intestinal parasites cause numerous diseases in birds and thrive at high temperatures. A clear symptom of this problem is small white spots in the stool.

Recommendations: In another article on our blog we advise you on how to avoid the most common household parasites. In addition to these precautions, deworm your pet periodically and use effective repellents in the form of drops or collars to keep insects away.

Respiratory system problems

High pollution in cities, combined with sudden changes in temperature, weakens the respiratory system of pets. This causes diseases such as pharyngitis, laryngitis, kennel cough or canine pneumonia to become common.

Recommendations: Avoid sudden changes in temperature, especially during the cold months of the year. Also, if you take your dog for a walk in the rain, don’t forget to dry him well afterwards. You can also protect yourself from humidity and cold with waterproof clothing.

Change in the fertile period

The increasingly altered climate also affects the fertile period of some animals. In the case of cats, the heat usually lasts only fifteen days in spring, summer and autumn. However, climate change is prolonging the fertile period.

Recommendations: If your cat is in heat, don’t forget to keep the litter box as clean as possible. Plus, she’ll probably want your attention and affection, so brush and pet her.

Heat stroke

Have you ever heard of heatstroke in dogs? The increasingly intense temperatures during the summer mean that they are unable to regulate their body temperature. To understand if your furry friend is suffering from heatstroke, pay attention to the following warning signs:

• Very difficult breathing and wheezing
• Dizziness or difficulty moving
• Blue gums and tongue
• Change in saliva

Heatstroke in pets doesn’t just affect those who go outside. Rabbits and rodents suffer even more painfully from excessive temperatures. The skin of these animals protects them from the cold, but not from the heat. Therefore, temperatures between 27º C and 30º C will be suffocating, especially if the female is in the gestation period.

Recommendations: This summer, take your pet somewhere on the coast, where temperatures are milder. Discover the 6 best beaches in Portugal to bring your dog.

Hair problems

Shedding is a phenomenon that occurs cyclically in many pets. As a general rule, dogs and cats tend to shed in the summer and fall. However, constant seasonal changes can cause this process to occur multiple times throughout the year.

Birds also often molt their feathers. Depending on the species, this can happen every 2 or 3 years. Once again, climate change and changing temperatures have disrupted these natural processes and may cause all the feathers to fall out.

Recommendations: Don’t neglect fatty acids and vitamin E in your four-legged friends’ diet, as well as an adequate intake of water (especially in dogs). Brush your dogs and cats’ fur frequently and bathe your dogs and cats once a month.

As for the birds, make sure the cage is not too hot and play with them. Birds love company and feel lonely when they don’t have it, and loneliness can manifest itself through the loss of feathers. Finally, take your pets to the vet, the competent technician to find out if the loss of fur or feathers is normal or caused by problems such as dehydration or parasites.

Difficulty in hibernation

Some reptile species, such as turtles, may have difficulty hibernating due to weather conditions. When this happens, the turtles go into deep hibernation, stopping eating and eventually starving to death. The hibernation of some rodents may also be affected. However, normally, when these species live in our homes, they do not need to hibernate.

Recommendations: If your hamster or guinea pig is hibernating, it means that the temperature in the environment is too low. Avoid temperatures below 15ºC and try to wake him up by gently massaging him to warm him up. It may take 3 to 4 hours to fully recover.

Proliferation of bacteria in aquariums

High temperatures affect the metabolism of aquarium fish. Furthermore, they cause the production of more harmful waste, increasing the risk of infections. To avoid this, remember to keep the water temperature in the aquarium constant. If you have tropical fish, the ideal temperature is 25º C. Reef fish live most comfortably at 24º C.

Recommendations: If the aquarium temperature is too high, do not add cold water or ice. Sudden temperature changes also affect the organic balance of fish and turtles. Try to cool the aquarium, avoiding direct solar radiation.

8 Pet Safety Tips

Read these tips to take care of your pets and keep them healthy!