Summertime Pet Care Tips

It’s summer time, time for you and your pet to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. It’s also the time of year your pet will encounter more potential dangers. Here are a few tips to make sure your pet has a happy, safe summer:

Never leave your pet in the car – Even if you leave the windows down and will only be a few minutes. During warm weather the temperature in a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. Dogs and cats can’t perspire; they can only perspire by panting or through the pads of their feet. Pets that are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die.

Don’t let your dog ride in the back of a truck – It is very dangerous and illegal in some states. Not on can flying debris cause serious injury, but your dog could be accidentally thrown from the vehicle. Dogs should either ride in the cab of the truck or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.

Make sure your pet has a shady spot to rest – Dog houses are not a good source of shade; they can trap in heat.

Avoid strenuous exercise in intense heat – Take walks in the morning or evening when the heat is less intense

Avoid prolong exposure to hot asphalt and sand – They can burn your pets paws.

Dogs can sunburn too - Especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin.  Limit your dog's exposure during the day and apply sun block to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.

Provide a plentiful supply of fresh water daily in a spill-proof bowl - Don't use a metal bowl, metal will heat up and cause the water to be hot.

Don't tie your pet up to anything. - They can get tangled up and die from heat exhaustion if they can't find shade

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, act quickly and calmly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, though it will probably soar back up or drop below normal if cooled to quickly. With this in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian’s care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent or reverse brain damage.

Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal.

Signs of Heatstroke:

 

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