06/05/2026
Pan is laying among the wishing flowers today looking magical and serene...
But with the wishing flowers comes hot summer heat!
Today’s post is in regards to foxes, but can be applied to any animal companion that lives or visits outdoors…
It is important those with concrete bases for their enclosure take into account the temperature. Concrete can reach 135°F in direct sunlight and like with dogs, this can easily burn delicate fox paws.
Even at temperatures as low as 70°F, canids such as foxes are at risk of heat stroke. Heat stroke is essentially a high temperature not caused by a fever, which can cause organs to begin shutting down in as little as 3 minutes.
To ensure safety in hot weather, make sure enclosures are adequately shaded, so that it provides an area that is not exposed to direct sunlight throughout the entire day.
Cooling tips:
* provide paddling pools or sprinklers
* raise houses off the ground to allow the air to circulate
* leave bottles of frozen water inside houses
* paint the roof covering white to reflect the heat
* clip dog cage fans (out of reach) in the shaded areas
* ensure houses have vents for air circulation
* provide plenty of fresh cool drinking water
* limit exercise and enrichment until the cooler parts of the day
* bring them inside until the weather is cooler
* do not leave unattended without access to shade and water
*insulate the enclosure on 2 sides with wood to allow airflow but deflect sunlight
Foxes with thick dark coats, old and young foxes, and foxes suffering from health issues are more prone to suffering from heat related issues.
Signs of in foxes:
The most telling symptom of heat stroke in foxes is excessive panting. Other symptoms may include signs of discomfort such as drooling, reddened gums, vomiting, diarrhea, mental dullness or loss of consciousness, uncoordinated movement, and collapse.
Heat stroke can indicate a serious medical problem and cause unseen problems, such as swelling of the brain, kidney failure, intestinal bleeding and abnormal clotting of blood. For this reason, immediate veterinary care is highly recommended.
What do I do if I suspect my fox has heat stroke?
Call your veterinarian immediately and tell them you are on your way. On the way to the veterinarian, travel with the windows open and the air conditioner on.
Until you can get to the veterinarian, be sure to:
* Remove the fox from the hot environment immediately
* Let the fox drink as much cool water as they want
* Cool the fox off by placing a soaked towel on their back
DO NOT give animals suspected of suffering heat stroke ice. In extreme heat, an animals temp. needs to be reduced gradually.
How is heat stroke treated?
Treatment will include intravenous fluid therapy to replace fluids and minerals. Your veterinarian will also monitor your fox for secondary complications such as kidney failure, development of neurologic symptoms, abnormal clotting, changes in blood pressure and electrolytes abnormalities.
🖋️Post written by Black Foxes UK CIC
Modified for readability by Reanna M.
