When a cold snap hits, it often comes with dark clouds and even rains afterwards! Pet parents may feel that sudden coldness or even freezing sensation too, let alone their dogs and cats, some owners will help their pets wear warmer clothes and some use thick blankets to ease the wind and cold on our pets.
Many pet owners choose to turn on the heating or electric heating fans (if they have one) to raise the room's temperature. This is where and when an accident is likely to occur, they forget to pay attention or may be unaware that their dogs or cats could have low-temperature burns or otherwise low-level burns in pets as a result of overexposure to this so-called heating equipment.
“Many pet owners choose to turn on the heating or electric heating fans to raise the room's temperature. This is where and when an accident is likely to occur, they forget to pay attention or may be unaware that their dogs or cats could have low-temperature burns as a result of overexposure to this so-called heating equipment.”
What are low-temperature burns?
Because the skin structure of dogs and cats is not the same as humans, and most have thick hair, they are less sensitive to the ambient temperature (circulating temperature). Although the temperature of the electric heater does not cause instant burns, the pet’s prolonged exposure to it may cause our dogs and cats to be scalded or have first-degree burns. So when the electric heater is turned on at home, you must always pay attention to whether your dogs and cats are too close (at least one meter away), some dogs and cats may have sensitive skin, even if only the heater is blowing a little, may also cause skin redness and ulcers.
What types of dogs and cats need to keep warm?
1. JUVENILE
Because they are young and underdeveloped and more susceptible to wind and cold.
2. SENIOR AGE
Dogs and cats are considered to be in their senior years after age 10, and all body functions are gradually declining.
3. SICK PETS
The immune system of a sick cat or dog is weaker and more likely to deteriorate due to the cold.
4. SPECIAL BREEDS
Short-haired dogs like the Miniature Pinscher or the pug and similar breeds. Hairless cats like the Sphynx and similar breeds have no hair to protect them from the cold and have a poor ability to regulate temperature.
These are cat and dog burn common symptoms:
- Missing hair or thinning hair
- Red skin or skin that is abnormally bright pink
- Blisters on the skin
- Scorched/scalded hair
PREVENTING BURNS FROM PETS
Keeping your pets warm and cozy is essential in any season and preventing them from getting burns requires detailed attention.
During Winter time or cold weather
Pets generally want warmth, especially during wintertime, usually, they avoid the cold feel of the tile floorings and will instead prefer to be lying on carpets and rugs. Pets prefer to stay and lie on their beds during cold mornings. During this situation, it would be best to provide them with a blanket, kennels and cat nests to keep them warm.
A good example of a pet bed suitable for cats and dogs would be the PIDAN Grey Sheep Shape Cave Pet Bed a semi-closed warm pet bed cave comfortable bed made with soft fabric and cotton padding. Favourable to give warmth during the cold or winter season and they don’t have to depend on heating equipment to keep themselves warm. Chances of burn injury or accidents are prevented.
Use of an Electric heater to keep warm
Whenever the electric heater is turned on, dogs and cats are the first to react and at times want to stay close to this heating equipment. As mentioned earlier, make sure they are at a distance from the electric heater to avoid low-temperature burns.
(credits to: Which UK)
Skin and Coat Maintenance and Proper Grooming
The dog and cat hair itself is the best warmth mechanism, it acts as an insulator during the cold season and provides them heat relief during the summer season. Generally, cats and dogs should be given at least a bath once a month and need help, especially during the drying process itself. During the drying process (after bathing) that low-level burns in pets occur especially when using blow dryers and pet drying boxes to speed up the drying process.
"During the drying process (after bathing) that low-level burns in pets occur especially when using blow dryers and pet drying boxes to speed up the drying process.”
Using the right type of Towels
Towels are good deterrents (against heat burns) to safely dry off your pet, to properly and safely do this, you need to use super absorbent pet towels to dry off your pet. MISSPET Misscats Microfibre Pet Grooming Towel (small) is a fine product you can use to dry off your pet. You do not need to use heating equipment to dry especially if you have a short-haired pet, usually, towel-drying is more than enough.
Proper use of Blow-Dryers
Pet groomers usually use cat and dog hair dryers to dry their hair because nothing beats a professional-looking finish (according to groomers). These are the reasons why pet groomers and some pet parents use blow-dryers to dry their pets after a bath.
- For better appearance
- For a cleaner look
- Less stinky
Hair dryers can speed up the drying time but the risk of burning your pet is likely to happen if not done properly. These are the proper ways to use the blow dryer on your pet.
- Ensure your pet is accustomed to the dryer's sound so as not to put them under stress, gradually do this by making them get used to the sound and the hot air sensation.
- Ensure the dryer is at its lowest setting.
- Maintain a safe distance (a couple of inches) from your dog’s fur.
- The nozzle should always be moving constantly to spread the heat evenly, focusing it only on one spot can burn the skin underneath their fur.
One of the best pet blow-dryers on the market is the PAKEWAY Pet Grooming Blow Dryer Pro - Yellow considered to be one of the quiet dog hair dryers designed, suitable for dogs & cats and ensures a pleasant grooming experience.
Use of Automatic hair dryer for pets
Commercial pet groomers usually opt to use pet cabinet dryers or automatic hair dryers for pets because it saves them time granting it is a busy establishment wherein they cater to a lot of customers.
Cage drying/cabinet dryers for pets are suitable when
- dogs or cats that are being bathed without the need for styling afterwards
- pets that are resistant to blow-dryers
- smooth coated pets that don’t need a special coat finish
- Busy pet owners
Busy pet parents could go for this automatic pet drying box that is in demand nowadays, the homerun pet dryer a fully automatic pet drying box tailor-made for busy pet parents. Designed with a multi-directional circulating airflow that swiftly reaches the most difficult parts to dry (from paws to tail), heat or warm fresh air is distributed evenly ensuring low-temperature burns don’t happen to your furry friend. Naturally quiet at only 40-60db (your pets will never be bothered by the noise), has 4 drying modes to choose from, it even has heat or cool mode making the pet drying box serve as an alternate pet bed.
Pet Sunbathing: Is it good?
Pet owners normally liked to bring their pets to the beach especially during summertime, whether to sunbathe (both owner and the pet) or to just walk around the shore. Minor burns are likely to happen especially if the owner is an unsuspecting kind. Overexposure to the heat of the sun can cause sunburn in our cats or dogs.
(credits to: AZHUMANE.ORG)
In cases where overexposure to the sun's heat, heating equipment, or walking on hot surfaces has caused burns on your pet, it would be prudent to contact or visit your veterinary doctor ASAP for proper medication.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF PETS THAT ACQUIRED BURNS?
Cat & dog burn treatment (Minor burns)
- Topical treatments, usually ointments or creams, are prescribed.
- Oral or topical antibiotics are necessary.
- Healing will take time, but proper cleaning and drying of the wound will speed up the process.
Speaking of burn treatments, PAW Manuka Wound Gel 100g is a dog wound gel, medicating lubricant made to help heal burns quickly and for wounds, grazes and as a general first aid. As for cats, you could give them a topical solution that contains anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties to help heal burns, abrasions and wounds as well as fight infection. ZODIAC Aloe Vera Pet Grooming Wipes 100pcs (bag) is the pet grooming wipes you could use to disinfect minor burns, and wounds (on paws, blisters on the skin & etc.). Gently removes dirt and odours, it’s hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested so they are safe for sensitive skin. The aloe vera extract and vitamin E additive contain anti-inflammatory compounds and promote healing and alleviate pain. These are very important dog and cat burns care solutions since our pets are exposed to such dangers that may occur at home or outside.
How long do pet burns take to heal?
It all depends on the severity of the burn, your vet can determine given your pet’s condition. It takes as little as a few days for minor cases and 2 to 4 wks for those serious cases.
Prevention of burn injury in pets is just as important as ensuring they are properly groomed because as pet owners, we treat our pets like part of our family. Below are ways how you could prevent them.
- Ensure your pet doesn’t stay out too long in the heat of the sun on walks or in the yard.
- Prefer to walk on grass especially in hot weather, walking on very hot pavement might burn their paws.
- Make sure they are away from hot or warm areas when at home, they should stay away from kitchens, heating equipment, fireplaces and etc.
- Have your playtime or exercise with your pet done in the mornings or at dusk, not during the heat of the day.
- Pets should have access to water at any time of the day, especially during the hot and dry seasons.
“Treating dog and cat burns is our responsibility as pet parents. Minimizing the hazards is the best thing we could do.”
Who would have thought that pet grooming, trips to the beach, walking in the park or just simply out in the yard or even inside the house can cause burns on our pets? Treating dog burns and cat burns is our responsibility as pet parents. Minimizing the hazards is the best thing we could do.
