keep pets safe in the heatwave

[LisaLQ]

We got a huge shock yesterday, as we lost our healthy big black berkshire rex rat, Brian, to the heat yesterday. Despite having windows open, curtains shut, cages out of any remaining light, and plenty of cold water and wet food at hand, a couple of our rats were suffering from the heat, luckily the others have recovered, but losing Brian was a massive shock, it wasn't like an illness where you get some warning - he'd been out and fine that morning, as active as ever.

So really I dont have any advice, just wanted to say to folks to remember that while it's lovely for us folks, our furry pets may not be enjoying it as much as we do (well, I hate the heat but you know what I mean).

Brian was under a year and a half in age, he was named after Brian May, to follow on from our Queen theme, to go with our Freddie (the dumbo) Mercury. Brian was a lovely lad, totally bonkers, very affectionate, unless you were wiping his shelves down, when he'd chase your hands and nick the cloth (and sometimes part of your finger in the process by accident!).

It just seems to have been a bad few months here, but I was warned as I succumbed to more rats closely together, that they would all go closely together. Brian wasn't supposed to be one of them though, he was young, he was fit and healthy - and now he's gone.

Love you Brian, rock on.

[section8angel]

Awww no I'm so sorry. Poor lil fella.

[sam]

oh no Lisa that is so sad and I am so sorry he was stunning and now I will make sure my rats are cool. thanks for warning usxx

[Ruth]

Arrr Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear about Brian. He sounded like a lovely little character

Thanks for sharing us though, I've had the window open in my 'furries room' and thought that would be enough but will be extra vigilant now

[Val]

Good advice!! I hope people with rabbits in hutches will also remember that they can boil inside a hutch!! This year we bought one of these, has made such a big difference we are wondering how we did without it, cost just £44.99 at Argos and was worth every penny fill it up with water & ice cubes and turn it on...........HEAVEN!! It also has an ioniser which really helps my hay fever.

VAL