Pet Safety Tips for Summer

As the summer weather approaches, it is important to remember to protect our pets from the sun and the heat As the kids are home from school and responsibilities are reassigned, it is a good time to go over pet safety.

SUNBURN:

Dogs and cats with white fur and pink skin are as susceptible as babies to sunburn. If your animals are left outside, add sunburn protection to your pet’s daily routine and be sure they have shade available. Pink noses and tender ears are as likely to get skin cancers as fair skinned people. Also, be aware of walking an animal on a hot day. Tender foot pads will burn on hot asphalt or concrete.

BEE/WASP STINGS:

Nosy animals poking around in bushes will often encounter a bee or wasp. An allergic reaction to a sting can be a swollen muzzle or a more dangerous reaction can be a restricted airway. Keep the Veterinarian’s Number prominently posted!

PET FOOD:

Don’t leave pet food out. Besides ants, the food can draw small animals like possums, rabbits and rats. These animals can attract coyotes to your yard.

FLEAS:

The simplest and most easily corrected problem can result in expensive veterinarian visits. Unless you plan to vigilantly watch your pet for fleas, you can quickly turn a dog or cat into an itching, miserable mess. Frontline and Advantage, applied monthly during the Spring and Summer months eliminates fleas and ticks. Check your supply.

CAR TRAVEL:

Don’t risk your pet’s life by taking him with you to run errands during the summer. The temperature in the car can quickly turn deadly if your animal is left in the car on a summer day with the windows just cracked for “fresh air.”

PESTICIDES AND STORED CHEMICALS:

Anti-freeze is an especially appealing, sweet-tasting, deadly poison to animals. Garden insecticides used by your gardener or the gardeners maintaining the community association greenbelts can affect your pet’s health. Verify and know if pesticides are used and insist on notification be given to the residents.

“DOG TREATS:”

It might seem funny or fun to watch the dog catch grapes or chase raisins. But, these foods can be toxic to some dogs. Warn the Kids. Don’t feed the dog – milk, chocolate, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, tomato leaves and stems, broccoli, raisins and grapes.

WATER:

Make it a mandatory rule that someone checks the animal’s water bowl everyday at least twice. Dogs and cats need sufficient water to carry nutrients through the body and to flush out waste. The bowls should be of sufficient size and be Tip- Proof. Preferably, they can be located in a shady spot.

POOL SAFETY:

If you leave a dog or dogs unsupervised and you have a pool that is available for them, please be warned. Dogs that swim and can get out of and into the pool, can also drown if they are unsupervised. You may want to restrict access when no one is home.

Take good care of your pets. They are counting on you to protect them. Have a safe and fun Summer.