Beat the heat

KAREN GOLDRICK is a holistic veterinarian at All Natural Vet Care, Russell Lea, Sydney. T: 02 9712 5844 W: naturalvet.com.au

Summer can be stressful for our senior pets. Older cats and dogs are less able to cope with extremes of temperature. Many have health conditions that mean they are more susceptible to dehydration.

Older cats often have some reduced kidney function, so they can’t concentrate their urine in hot weather. Cats with cardiac disease, hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure are also less able to cope with heat. Older dogs may have breathing difficulties due