Pet Tips for Hot Temps
Playing with puppy gets a whole new meaning when you are lucky enough to exercise outdoors. Warm weather offers plenty of opportunities for physical activity in the elements with our beloved fur babies, but the sun, warm temps and humidity can pose a pet problem if we don’t take heed the heat. Here are some tips to taking our pets outdoors for superb summer fun.
First, pay attention to the weather. In the midst of summer, try to take pets outdoors in the early morning or evening. Most pups and princesses are meant for indoor love, but if you must leave your dog or cat outside for a brief period of time, ensure they are monitored and have access to shade, cold water and protection from the elements.
Ban The Bugs
Beware of insect bites. If your dog or kitty is bitten or stung, remove the stinger and watch the site for an allergic reaction. If a reaction occurs or there have been multiple wasp, bee or mosquito bites, make a trip to the vet. Late spring is a good time to update vaccinations, get flea and tick prevention meds and take a heartworm test.
Keep ’Em Clean, Jelly Bean!
The summer months expose our dogs and other pets to much sun, heat and dirt. Extra baths and brushing go a long way when keeping Rover clean and looking his summer beauty best!
Protect The Paws
Asphalt gets extremely hot and can burn our precious pet’s feet, so try to walk dogs on the grass if possible. According to the American Kennel Club, if the temperature is 85 degrees or higher, the ground may be too hot for safely walking a dog. Experts recommend feeling the pavement; if it is too hot for our hand, it is too hot for Daisy.
Hydrate
Our pets always need access to fresh water, but the summer months call for about 10 percent more water per day when the temperature reaches 86 degrees. A must-have for any dog owner who likes to be on the go with their furry friend is a portable bowl. Collapsible, travel-friendly and even disposable versions are available for ease and safety. Having a portable dog bowl allows convenience; your pup stays hydrated and it keeps them safe in case of an unexpected delay getting back home.
Dog Park Doo’s
Scoop your poop everywhere. No matter where you are with your animal family, make sure to get rid of waste. Feces can cause problems if left unattended and can cause disease and sickness for pets and humans alike.
Car Stop!
Pets should not be left in cars, even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows slightly open can reach 102 degrees in ten minutes. Our pets may suffer irreversible organ damage or die.
Guard The Pool
Not all dogs are good swimmers and many pets do not tolerate water at all, so supervision around pools and water is a must. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Use water to rinse pets off after swimming to remove chlorine, chemicals and salt and hydrate our thirsty friends with tap water instead of swim water.
Pesky Pesticides
Lawn chemicals and insecticides can be harmful if directly ingested by a cat or dog, so keeping them out of Rover’s reach is important. Call the vet or ASPCA animal poison control center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your animal has consumed anything poisonous.
Be Vet Ready
No matter how careful and responsible we may be with our pets, accidents can happen. Keeping the vet’s phone number handy and available to all family members is valuable, especially in times of emergency. If you think that your pet is overheated, take it immediately to a cooler area or to the vet. Try pouring cool water over their head and body or place them safely in a tub of cool water.
We probably know our canine companions and feline friends more than anybody else, but when it comes to their health, the summertime months can add a few different challenges. Our furry friends often give us more love than we ever imagined. Summertime provides ample time and weather to make wonderful memories with them through many summers if we approach the hotter months with their safety in mind.
Sources: akc.org, humanesociety.org and aspca.org.
