ANSA presents recommendations on care of animals in heat wave

Chisinau, 8 July /MOLDPRES/- National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) has warned farm or pet owners to take special care during the heat wave to feed and hydrate quadrupeds.

ANSA warns animal caretakers to take reasonable measures to protect their animals by providing them with proper feeding and watering. "It is necessary to check the condition of the animals at regular intervals and measures must be taken appropriate to the situation, so as not to subject the animals to unnecessary risks," say ANSA specialists.

The most effective shelter against periods of extreme heat must protect from direct sunlight and allow the wind to cool the animals, these criteria being important when choosing the type and location of the shelter. If there is not enough space for the animals, there is a risk of suffocation by crowding in the shelter.

It is important that each animal has enough space to stretch simultaneously, as this helps to cool the body. Sometimes it may be necessary to separate the animals into smaller groups, since the group tendency may cause the animals to cluster around a single source of water or feed. In conditions of high temperatures, it is recommended to increase the space allocated per animal by at least 10%.

Also, on these days, ANSA recommends avoiding grazing and tethering animals in the immediate vicinity of large riverbeds. During and after floods, or other weather, rainwater by washing surfaces and entraining manure, chemicals can pollute water in rivers, ponds, wells and this can affect the health of animals that consume it. In this case, water from water sources less affected by these phenomena should be used.

photo: ANSA