Doctors: Extreme heat could raise risk of aggression in pets

Doctors have urged people to exercise caution when taking their pets outdoors during the ongoing heatwave as the extreme heat could raise the risk of aggression in animals.

The statement was issued following a rise in the number of cases in which people have been attacked by dogs and cats.

Punan Hospital in Pudong New Area, for instance, received over 120 cases in which people were bitten or scratched by their dogs or cats in public areas on Tuesday, according to a report by online news portal ThePaper.cn.

Zhang Lei, the director of Punan Hospital's emergency department, noted that the number of patients attacked by dogs or cats this month is about 100 more than in June.

"These attacks were likely caused because the dogs became aggressive after they were exposed to prolong periods of extreme heat," said Zhang.

Doctors have suggested that people walk their dogs in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are lower. This would also decrease the chances of their dogs getting a heatstroke.

Shen Jiajia, a doctor from the emergency department at Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital, also advised people to get a rabies shot if they are bitten or scratched by their pets.

Shen added that wounds should be rinsed with soapy or clean water as soon as possible. Bleeding wounds should also be bandaged before seeing a doctor.

Du Zixuan contributed to the story.