Once again we have a very hot day to look forward to and for most of us, we are getting over yesterday. We’ve covered heat and safety a few times in this blog, but today seems like an appropriate time to revisit it once again.
With a heat index near 120 degrees possible in some places and storms forecasted for later today, we are all going to feel the pressure to get as much done as possible before later this afternoon but overworking and ignoring the heat can be a deadly choice. Revisit the recent blogs on how to keep yourself healthy in the heat!
It isn’t just about us though. Many of us have pets and farm animals that we need to remember today. Yesterday I watched our animals panting and wandering from water bowl to water bowl which has inspired this morning's blog...we need to remember our four-legged friends today as well…
1. SHADE
Well placed shade can lower the air temperature anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees lower than in the direct sun. All your animals need access to shade. Place dog houses and portable chicken coops under large shady trees. Make sure horses, cows, goats or any free-range animals have access to places with trees. If you don’t have natural shade, a well placed portable canopy or even a tarp can help immensely.
2. Water
Animals should have open access to fresh water all day. Water should be changed daily in high heat so it stays cool. Consider adding some ice cubes to the dog bowl or the chicken water-er. They will melt quickly but will keep the water cooler and make it more refreshing to your animals. We sometimes place pans of ice chips out and our chickens will walk on them and lay in them.
Ponds, streams, sprinklers, kiddie pools, and misterhoses are also great, cooling, water options. If you choose to provide a kiddie pool, change the water frequently as the pools can heat up fairly quickly. Even better, place the pool in a shady area.
Mister-hoses are really affordable and use very little water and have a great cooling effect.
Sprinklers are also an option. Most animals however are not likely to walk through a sprinkler. You may just use them briefly to cool down a shady spot and then turn on and off as needed.
3. Ventilation
Many people mistake structures such as chicken coops, dog houses and barns as “shady places” where animals can go to get cool. This is only true if there is proper ventilation. Consider investing in some fans for your animal structures. Our horses enjoy the ceiling fan we installed in the stable!
Heat stroke is serious and potentially fatal in animals. There are several signs of heat stroke:
- Panting
- Staring
- Anxious expression
- Refusal to obey commands (unless your dog is always like this like mine!)
-Warm, dry skin
-High fever
-Rapid heartbeat
-Vomiting
-Collapse
If your animals exhibit any of these signs it is important to start treating your animal immediately. Move the animal to a cool area, hose it down or wrap it with cold wet towels and see a veterinarian immediately
