Summer Safety with your pet!

I don’t know about you but for me the warmer temperatures are a welcome relief after the intense winter we experienced this year. With every new season come new challenges to keep our pets safe. There are several things to keep in mind to make sure we all have a safe and happy summer!

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Walking and being outside are some of the benefits of spring and summer. It is important to always have your pets on a leash when they are outside of your property. This is both for their safety and the safety of those around them. It can be so exciting for pets to be outside seeing the sights and sniffing around, however they can be easily distracted and dart into oncoming traffic posing a threat to them and motorists. It is also easier to avoid unwanted interactions with other pets that may not be friendly whenever your pet is controlled on a leash. Making sure your pets ID tags and microchip information are up to date can also help return your pet to you should they escape!

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When the temperatures spike unexpectedly our furry family members need to have access to cool areas, ideally inside, but if this is not possible they need to have access to shaded areas and cool fresh water at all times. Also remember to NEVER EVER leave a dog in a car, even with the windows rolled down this can cause them to overheat very quickly. Pets are not capable of sweating like we are so it is much harder for them to cool down, imagine being in your car in the heat of summer in your winter coat, but not being able to sweat and release some of that heat! This is what your pet could be going through and it could become life threatening! It is best to reserve exercise for the early morning hours or the evening hours when the heat is less intense. Shortening the walk or exercise may also be necessary if the temperatures or humidity are increased. It may also be a good idea to avoid asphalt since it can get very warm and cause burning of the pads.

Gardening and taking care of the lawn are also common during this time of year. Be sure you keep pets away from mulch and insecticides as some of these products can cause your pet to become ill.

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If you ever have a question concerning any products or recommendations for summer safety be sure to call your veterinarian and address these issues! Summer is a fun time of year and there are many activities to experience with your pet, so it is important to keep everyone safe and happy.