Pet shop owner Gülce Özdamar urges Turkish pet owners to protect animals in heat

Pet shop operator and veterinary technician Gülce Özdamar warned that the rise in summer temperatures is affecting pets in Turkey. She advised owners to avoid plastic carrier backpacks that trap heat and to choose breathable options such as mesh, fan‑ventilated or multi‑vented bags. Walks should be shifted to cooler evening hours and shortened – for example, reducing a typical winter hour-long walk to about 40 minutes in hot weather. Pets should spend time in shade, under trees, or indoors with cooling aids like thermal beds with gel packs or chilled mats. Özdamar cautioned against dunking animals in water or giving ice‑cold water directly, which can cause illness, and suggested offering lightly chilled water or a few ice cubes instead. These measures aim to prevent heat‑related health problems in dogs and other companion animals.