Our pets are also affected by global warming. Dogs, cats, aquarium fish, birds and horses face many of the effects of rising global temperatures. The dangers of heat stroke are real, but not only that: some viruses and parasites are proliferating at an alarming rate, as well as increasing the cost of their food.
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Many scientific studies rightly focus on the consequences of climate change on wild animals. But scientists are just beginning to look into the effects of rising global temperatures on domesticated animals. Like humans, the animals who live with them will experience its diverse effects Global warmingGlobal warmingEspecially if they live in the city.
Dog and cat owners must be wary of parasites and diseases coming from the South
dogsdogs And cats certainly can suffer from strokes HeatHeatoutside, as well as inside houses outside air conditionerair conditioner, Delicate breeds that are already struggling to breathe at the base, such as the bulldog, pug and Cavalier King Charles spaniel are particularly at risk. But besides the direct effects of rising temperatures, the combination of heat and humidity has other consequences. Ticks, carriers of piroplasmosis, are now present almost everywhere, even in the mountains, and in any season, including winter. Some helminthic parasitic diseases may also break out whenFloodsFloods, Around the Mediterranean, two diseases are on the rise due to longer warm periods: LeishmaniasisLeishmaniasis Mosquito-borne and heartworm disease is caused by MosquitoMosquito, Another crisis is on the rise due to global warming, march caterpillarmarch caterpillar Cedar. Stinging and deadly to animals and humans, it is now present not only in the south, but also in the north of France.
Drought also has an impact on the cost of food for our dogs and cats: kibbles include CerealCereal and meat, two MaterialMaterial depend a lot on weather reportweather report, Wave’sWave’s Dry food prices have skyrocketed due to heat and drought, and this trend will likely get worse in the coming years, causing many pet owners to probably opt for cheaper and lower quality food. Another consequence of rising temperatures is the lengthening of the fertile period for cats, resulting in an increase in the number of potential litters per year.
Fishes and birds cannot tolerate the change in temperature
PiscesPisces Aquariums and ponds are extremely sensitive to rising temperatures: they are ectothermic animals, they use external heat sources to regulate their temperature. Abnormal rise in water temperature has fatal consequences for fish a heat wavea heat wave, When the water suddenly heats up, some of the oxygen is forced out of the water and the fish can suffocate. Fish digest badly when the water temperature is abnormally high compared to their tolerance range, and sometimes you have to stop feeding them during the hottest days. If most aquariums are equipped with heating, then very few aquariums are equipped with cooling systems and their price is still high.
A heat wave can easily destroy a cage or group of caged birds. Those that survive lose weight, abandon their nests, and exhibit unusual behavior: during heat waves, many bird species develop chronic feather pecking. Birds preen their feathers until they mutilate themselves, a sign of unwellness. But in case of air conditioning, it has to be well oriented because a currentAirAir The charges can also be fatal for many species of birds. birds are also subject to InfectionInfection of insects, especially in parrots, in case of strong heat.
Multiple health problems in horses
Horses are very sensitive to temperature changes as well as to ambient humidity: they are also prone to extreme heat, blood loss and coliccolic Fatality can be directly related to temperature. moist heat also causes arbovirusarbovirus In some areas, the progress of West Nile virus is of particular concern, with new cases being reported every year in the south of France: a virus transmitted by tiger mosquitoes. Competition and leisure horses stop working when temperatures are abnormally high, and prolonged periods of inactivity are also very harmful to their health.
When it is hot, the water consumption of horses is very high (more than 40 liters of water per day), not to mention the shower necessary to cool down: in conditions of water scarcity, as in summer in some villages Occurs in the south of France, the supply of water for horses is extremely complex. The increase in the price of grain and hay, which depends on the uncertainty of the weather, also forces owners and equestrian centers to feed their horses less or remove hay from their diets when necessary.