Pampered Pets 101 blog – 6/11
With Memorial Day signaling the start of summer, it’s crucial to remember your pets and how they handle the heat. In short, they don’t. Summer weather, vacation travel, family time, and outdoor activities often affect your cat and dog. Make sure to be alert and aware, taking precautions to keep them safe in the heat and summer elements. Any responsible pet owner knows the obvious, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded.
1. Never leave a pet unattended in the car on a warm or sunny day. Cars quickly heat up to fatal temperatures, even with the window slightly open.
2. Be sure to keep pets up-to-date on vaccinations and preventative medications. Fleas and ticks stay busy in warm weather and summer is also the prime time for heartworms. Follow the preventative regimen suggested by your veterinarian.
3. Keep cats indoors to keep them safe. Cars, other pets, and wild animals can all pose risks to cats' safety. By providing playtime, cat trees, and other enrichment, your furry feline will be content indoors.
4. Beware of cocoa mulch and other gardening products. Cocoa mulch can be deadly if ingested and has an appetizing scent to some animals. Pesticides, fertilizers, and other harsh chemicals can also be quickly fatal if ingested.
5. When taking a dog for a walk on a hot day, plan for shorter walks midday, when temperatures peak, and longer walks in the morning and evening when it's cooler. Hot sidewalks can burn the pads on a dog's paws, so walk on the grass when possible.
6. Pet rabbits should be kept indoors because they don't tolerate heat well. Keeping a rabbit indoors will also provide protection from predators who might try to attack a rabbit in an outdoor hutch.
7. Never leave a dog outdoors on a chain or tether. Long-term chaining during the hot summer months can result in countless insect bites, dehydration, and heat stroke. Even short-term tethering can pose risks such as theft or attacks by people or animals.
8. When driving with pets, be sure to keep them properly restrained and inside the vehicle. Special seatbelts and secured carriers can protect pets during accidents and prevent them from distracting the driver. The back of a pick-up truck is NEVER a safe place for pet transport.
9. Be mindful of pets around wild animals. When going for walks or playing in a fenced yard, don't allow pets to harass birds, rabbits, squirrels, or other wild animals. Also, do not leave pets out in any area where coyotes could be present – day or night.
10. Stay bite-free. The summer months are the peak season for dog bites because so many kids and dogs are playing outside. Training, socialization, and dog spaying or neutering a dog can reduce the risk of dog bites. Kids should be forbidden to antagonize dogs – at any time – and can learn to stay safe through good manners around pets and humane education.
11. There is potential for sunburn. Some dogs get sunburn. Just like fair-skinned people, white-haired dogs are sensitive to sun exposure. White cats and cats with white ears and noses are very susceptible to sunburn so it is important to keep your cats and dogs inside more on very sunny days and to talk to your veterinarian about the occasional use of sunscreens.
12. Should Fido and I go swimming? This depends on the breed, as not all dogs are good swimmers. Short-legged dogs, such as Corgis, are very poor swimmers, but most dogs with long legs, such as Labrador Retrievers, swim quite well. Common sense says not to take your dog swimming anyplace dangerous, where the current is too swift, the boat traffic too busy, or where if something went wrong you would both be in danger of drowning.
13. Thunderstorms and the July 4th holiday noise can lead to stress in many pets, even when indoors. Many dogs are afraid of loud noises such as thunder and fireworks. Some dogs just need reassurance, but some are too upset for a few calm words and some petting. If your dog is very afraid during summer storms, talk to your veterinarian, who may prescribe medication to help calm your pet.
14. Letting cats out at night is a no-no. Many cats beg to go outside at night in the summer, even some cats that seem very happy to remain indoors all winter long. But cats are at greater risk for disease and injury when they are outside, especially at night. If you feel you must let your cat go outside, be sure that he/she is up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations. But, better safe than sorry, so no outdoor time.
15. Not unlike humans, dogs and cats are also susceptible to heat stroke. Don't ever leave your pet in the car with the windows rolled up or even cracked. On very hot days, don't lock your pet in the garage. Remember your dog and cat are just as vulnerable to the heat as adults and children and need to have plenty of water available and a cool place to rest. If it is hot, take it easy with your pet – play less, run less, and cool off more often.
The dog days of summer are upon us, so we just ask that you pay attention and take care to keep your fur kids safe and happy! Enjoy!
Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).
