Large Animal Pet Health In Summer

Many people worry about their small animal pets during summer heat, but they arent the only ones who deserve consideration. Large animals also suffer when the weather turns hot and humid. Your horse, for instance, can be quickly overcome by the heat. Whether large or small, pet health involves protecting your animal from the danger of extreme temperatures.

Water is a Must
The surest way to safeguard pet health in summer is by ensuring that your animal has access to clean, fresh water. Large animals, such as horses, sweat in the hot weather and that means that they can become dehydrated if they cannot replace those fluids quickly.

If your animal becomes dehydrated, they are vulnerable to heatstroke. Fresh water and a place out of the sun is the best protection against this problem. The more active your animal is during summer, the greater their need for plenty of water and shade to lower body temperature.

A horse needs six to ten gallons of water every day and more than that if their stable doesnt have a flow of air or if theyve been exercising. Your horse can become dangerously overheated in a matter of moments when they are active in summer.

Mineral Supplements a Good Idea
Of course, when your horse sweats she doesnt only lose moisture, she loses crucial electrolytes. For this reason, its a good idea, in hot weather, to mix supplements into your animals daily feed. Think of it as Gatorade for your horse. Your pet will be most comfortable when you keep them hydrated and chemically balanced.

Signs of Trouble
You can tell when your horse is in trouble in the heat because she will give you signals. Apart from heavy sweating, listen to how rapidly your horse is breathing. Quick breathing is her way of trying to cool down her insides. A horse that is dehydrated may seem listless or confused and may not be interested in eating. An electrolyte imbalance can leave your horse feeling disoriented.

But some horses in distress dont sweat. This is dangerous and means that the only way she can cool herself is by breathing in outside air that is cooler than her inner body temperature. She cant tell you she is in trouble, but her labored breathing lets you know that she needs cooling down.

Pet owners know that their animals need regular exercise and a chance to be outdoors. But in summer, those needs should be balanced against protection against the heat. Pet health dependson taking all needs into consideration. ProLabs is one pet supply company offering small animal supplements and other products to keep furry companions in peak condition.