Domestic pets are very like humans in this respect: in summer they generally eat less than in winter. None of us becomes ravenously hungry in the scorching heat, but instead we become even thirstier. The veterinary team at the Fressnapf chain of specialist shops has put together a list of recommendations to help ensure that your dogs and cats continue to enjoy their food.

• A number of small meals put less strain on the organism than one grand meal. This is why, in summer, it is better to give food in the early morning and evening, when temperatures are bearable.
• Even if you have puppies that still need several meals a day, you should only feed them during the cooler parts of the day and leave out midday meals temporarily.
• Fresh or wet food perishes quickly in summer and then gives off an unpleasant smell. It also attracts flies and other pests. Food such as this should never be left to stand around in the bowl for a long time and should be served in small portions. Dry food is suitable as a supplement or replacement since it can be left in the bowl for several hours or even days. If your free-roaming cat is ‘on tour’ for days at a time, she will be pleased to find food that has not perished on her return.
• Make sure the bowl is clean: to avoid unpleasant smells from wet food, remove any leftovers immediately and wash the bowl. You should do the same every time you fill the water bowl as well.
• Food from the refrigerator is strictly taboo! Even if you keep leftovers from fresh or wet food there, you should only give them to your pet once they have reached room temperature. This not only ensures a better flavour, but also prevents digestive problems.
• Water should also be at room temperature: it must not be too cold. Icecold water from the fridge affects the stomach and instead of having the desired cooling effect causes exactly the opposite because your pet will adjust its body temperature upwards.
• Your pet must have access to fresh drinking water at all times - this is absolutely essential for survival in the hot months of the year. Dogs need between 60 and 80 millilitres per kilogramme of body weight per day: for medium-sized breeds this means just under one litre and for large breeds one and a half to two litres per day. Cats do in fact need less liquid because they originally come from drier climes. Yet they too need fresh water, above all if you feed them on dry food. If you have a reluctant drinker, leave several bowls or special drinking fountains out.

• Do not feed at the hottest time of the day
• Feed smaller portions
• Do not leave fresh food standing around for long
• Switch from wet to dry food
• Rinse food and water bowls thoroughly
• Do not offer food and water straight from the fridge
• Always provide a supply of fresh drinking water

Cats with bowl On hot summer days cats have less appetite and prefer to eat in the morning or evening when the temperature is more tolerable. (Photos may only be reproduced with permission and in connection with editorial text. High-resolution photos can be requested from the Fressnapf press office.)