ANIMAL welfare officers are warning pet owners in Wilmslow to keep their animals cool in soaring temperatures this week...by smothering them in sun cream.
The RSPCA is urging people in the town to take "a few common sense steps," to prevent their hot dogs and cats from burning in the sun, by putting sunblock on their ears and noses.
And they are warning people not to leave their animals inside baking cars as temperatures of 35C threaten to shatter previous records.
The sweltering August heat can expose dogs and cats to sunburn and skin cancer while they can also suffer severe heat stress and even die.
Veterinarian Donald Wiggins, from Summerfields Veterinary Centre, said animals should not be left in cars at all during the heatwave and advised people to exercise their pets early in the morning or late at night.
He said: "It is mainly white cats and dogs and animals with white ears and noses that get sunburnt. I don't believe there are any sunblock products that are specifically for animals but I think if they don't lick it off their paws then it should be okay.
"The sunburn problem develops over the years and can become a form of skin cancer. We do get a number of dogs each year who collapse with heatstroke, it is something we see from time to time."
North west RSPCA officer, Kevin Hegarty, said: "Most suffering is avoidable by following some simple steps. All animals need plenty of water and should be kept out of the full glare of the sun to avoid heatstroke and skin cancers. Sunscreen should be applied to the white tips of animals' ears and noses.
"Dogs, particularly elderly ones should be exercised in the early morning and late evening to avoid over-exertion. They should never be left in parked cars where they can quickly suffer heat exertion and die. Leaving a window open is not good enough. High temperatures can spell trouble for wildlife and companion animals."
Heatstroke
Every year, officers from the RSPCA in the north west are called out to rescue animals who have been left in hot vehicles.
Mr Wiggins added: "We do see dogs that die in the heat. The majority of them have been confined in cars or occasionally they have been exercised on a hot day and we had some cases of heatstroke at the weekend.
"The safest thing is not to leave animals in a car at all at the moment and my advice would be for people to exercise their dogs in the mornings and at night when it is cooler."
As well as dogs and cats, smaller animals like guinea pigs and rabbits also need to be protected by being placed out of the sun.
Pond fish can be sprayed with a hose to help replace lost oxygen and gardeners can give wildlife a helping hand by providing fresh bathing and drinking water in birdbaths.
