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29th June 2011

Experts urge pet owners to take extra care this summer

This week's tragic reports of dog deaths in a heated car, comes as a reminder to pet owners around the country. While this recent extreme case appears to be an isolated incident, pet insurance specialist, Petplan, received a number of new calls from pet owners in the last 48 hours; since Monday 29th June as a result of the heat-related issues.

With more than 56% of Brits not concerned about leaving their pet alone, as revealed in the 2011 Petplan Pet Census, Petplan is providing advice on how pet owners can take precautions to ensure that a summer in the sun doesn't end in disaster.

Petplan's 2011 Vet of the Year, Alison Laurie, recommends the following tips:

• Never leave pets unattended in cars at any time
• Allow for plenty of cool drinking water to keep pets hydrated
• Supervise around pools, especially if your pet isn't a strong swimmer
• Don't leave pets at home unattended for an extended period of time
• Keep pets indoors in extreme weather
• Trim excessive dog hair to prevent overheating
• Don't over-exercise pets on hot days
• Don't spend a long time on asphalt which may burn sensitive paws
• Avoid feeding pets human food and drinks while entertaining
• Visit a vet for a summer check up

Allison Laurie commented: "Look out for signs of heat distress including difficulty breathing, a rise in heart rate, increased temperature, mild weakness, drooling, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, seizures and collapsing."

Carl Stephens, Communications Manager at Petplan adds: "We are always prepared for an increase in call on warmer days from our customers; either with claims or just seeking advice. As a result we are urging pet owners to take extra care to ensure the whole family, including beloved pets, has a safe summer."

*Statistic from the Petplan Pet Census, which surveyed over 10,000 respondents **Facebook statistics 2011.

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