The temperature is rising and it s time to be cautious about keeping your pets protected from the scorching heat. You can make some extra effort to keep them safe and sound -- ensure when they re outside there s shade to keep the rays of the sun at bay, add some ice cubes to their water bowl, shower them once every week, try to keep them indoors, watch out for cuts as humidity might increase the chances of infection and a host of other measures that you must take to keep the muchloved member of your family safe and healthy. In the coming months, Calcutta will most likely experience temperatures touching 40 degrees, so it s wise to take precautions to help your four-legged buddy beat the heat this summer. t2 lists some dos and don ts of summer care for pets. KEEP THEM HYDRATED Adding ice cubes to drinking water will help your furry buddies stay cool. Dr Aburna Mahato, consultant veterinarian and surgeon, said: "Make hydration tasty by adding vanilla ice cream scoops (don t worry, it s the only flavour they can devour), curd, yoghurt or some homemade pomegranate or apple juice to your dog s diet." Dr Meena Arora said: "If a pet shows signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place and put a damp towel over them. Unlike humans, pets heat up and cool down from the bottom upwards, so focus the sponging on the paws and stomach and not the coat." DON T NEGLECT HYGIENE AND TICKCONTROL Never neglect tick prevention. Spray, spot-on, collars or tablets that prevent ticks must be considered and used -- with additional efforts to prevent ectoparasites by using herbal sprays (lemongrass oil or spray can come in handy). "Never neglect ectoparasites and visit your vet for proper anti-ectoparasitic measures, like use of anti-tick powders, shampoo, tick collar, spray, spoton and even injection or oral medication (if the need arises)," said consultant veterinarian and surgeon Dr Chandrakanta Chakraborty LET THEM LAZE AROUND THIS SUMMER Taking your dog out for exercise in the heat can be fatal. Let them laze around this summer and restrict their activity outdoors to prevent heat strokes. "Pet owners should avoid exercising their dog strenuously on extremely hot days. It s advisable to take your pets out during the early mornings or late evenings. Brachycephalic dogs like Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese and more are at a higher risk of facing heat stress, so it s better to keep them indoors or even better to keep them in air-conditioned rooms," said veterinarian Dr SK. Sanaullah FURRY SPLASHES ARE THE COOLEST Just like us hoomans, furry babies love taking a dip in the pool. You can easily buy a portable swimming pool for dogs on Amazon and let them take a dip to beat the heat in the coolest way possible. "Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for your furry companions. It does wonders for their overall health. It strengthens muscles and provides a good amount of cardiac workouts. Swimming is a great option for dogs during summers," said veterinary scholar Dr Sourav Mathur. ADD VEGGIES AND FRUITS TO THEIR DIET Adding probiotics to the meal is a great way to keep your dogs cool. Avoid meat or a protein-rich diet during summer as it might heat them up. "Hydrating fruits such as watermelon, cucumber and muskmelon are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. You can try giving your pooches some of that to keep them cool this summer," said canine nutritionist Rini Dalal

Sramana Ray