'Mind-blowing': Vet's anger as pet owners continue daily habit amid heatwave

As temperatures soar across Australia, vets are warning pet owners to keep their beloved animals out of the heat.

Chief Veterinarian of Melbourne's Lort Smith Animal Hospital, Dr Jessica Wilde, has issued a stern warning to those walking their dogs in 30 to 40 degree heat.

''It is simply mind blowing that people are still behaving this way and putting the pets, their family, at risk of severe illness and death," said Dr Wilde.

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"After years of public campaigns on this important subject, it is extremely disheartening to hear this is still occurring.

''We implore people to please think twice when talking your pet out this summer. Under no circumstance is it ever ok to put your pet at risk in the heat.

"We anticipate to receive a significant number of pets with dehydration issues in the coming days that could have in many cases been entirely avoided.''

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Dr Sam Haynes of Sydney Animal Hospitals has recommended all pets be moved indoors amid the hot weather.

Breeds of pets with short noses such as Pugs, French bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles and those with heavy coats like Huskies and Pomeranians can especially stuggle in the hot weather.

Pets like rabbits and guinea pigs also do not sweat and cannot regulate their body temperature. Therefore, they cannot tolerate hot weather, and it is best to keep them inside in air conditioning on extremely hot days.

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Pets who managed to get themselves stuck in unlikely places

Even if the pet is in the shade, on a 38+ degree day, it is possible for pets to overheat or get heat stress or stroke simply by breathing in hot air.

Dr Haynes has a number of tips to keep pets safe in this hot weather.

He recommends putting ice cubes in your pet's water bowls to cool them down and leaving a wet towel for them to sit on.

Pet popsicles can also be made by freezing dry food in ice cube containers.

He recommends not walking your pets during the day and instead waiting until the sun sets. If the ground is too hot for your own bare feet to bear for five seconds, it is too hot for your pets.

For those with flying friends, misters and sprinklers can be purchased for aviaries to keep your birds cool.

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