THANE: From feeding pets a variety of fresh fruit juices to giving them ice-creams and taking them for early morning and late night walks, pet owners across the city are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to giving their furry friends a break from the rising summer heat.As the mercury levels are rising every single day, the sultry climate has started affecting animals and birds. To avoid pets from getting dehydrated, many owners have started making changes in their diet. Some have also started providing a place where there is proper shade for strays. Sameet Ghone, from Vrindavan Society, said, “I have a six-year-old golden retriever and I began noticing that the heat has been taking a toll on my pet. She used t get lethargic even during the day. So, I keep the air condition on or at times I keep her in the bathroom where it is cooler.”“To help her feel at ease, I also made some changes to her diet and included more juices and water. I even feed her at regular intervals to ease digestion. I have also started giving her curd or ice cream once in a while,” Ghone added.Meanwhile, Balkum resident Sharmishtha Roy who recently got a pair of love birds said, “I read that birds get extremely affected by the heat. So, I consulted a veterinarian and have changed the location of the bird cage. I shifted it to a cooler area in my home. I also keep plenty of water in the cage for them.”Besides alterations ini their diet, some have also made changes to their pets daily routine. “Taking our dog out for a walk after sunrise and before sunset is not only exhausting for him, but also extremely draining for me as it is too hot. Over the past few days, I have been getting up at around 4.30am and take my beagle for a nice walk before sunrise and after sunset,” said Anjali Juneja, a Hiranandani Meadows resident.In addition to ensuring that their pets are hydrated, vets are urging residents to avoid feeding or walking their pets in the afternoon. “While ice-cream provides temporary coolness, dogs, cats or any pet requires plenty of water, juices and fluids to stay cool. They should not be fed in the afternoon as it adds to the body heat. They should not be left in cars without ACs on or taken for treks and walks when the sun has risen,” said city-based veterinarian Dr. Hemant Thange.“Taking them for a swim once in a while and adding ice cubes in their water bowls will give them some relief. While keeping the AC on is ideal for most pets, it is a must when it comes to dogs with a lot of fur like Alsatians, German Sheppards and others,” Dr. Thange said.While ice-cream provides temporary coolness, dogs, cats or any pet requires plenty of water, juices and fluids to stay cool. They should not be fed in the afternoon as it adds to the body heat. They should not be left in cars without ACs on or taken for treks and walks when the sun has risen

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