As summer is rolling upon us, so is the heat! Our 4 legged friends depend on us to be safe and comfortable during the peeks of summer. Hot summer heat causes alot of risks for your pets. Weather you are in your own backyard, traveling, or at the beach, the sun is still shining down and temperatures are still rising. Making it uncomfortable for them to stay cool.
Also remember as the heat and humidity rises, short faced dogs such as Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, etc, should never be in the sun for more then 15 minutes at a time. They have a harder time panting as the long faced dogs do. Older pets should also be kept indoors.
A pet is best left inside in the air conditioning, but if you must have your pets outdoors... here listed are some tips and precautions to have a happy, safe, and a cool pet during summer.
I am listing the most important ones first, then I will add some for different catergories such as traveling, vacationing at the beach, swimming pool, fireworks, fertilized lawns, grooming and health safety. Wherever you are with your pet, please keep in mind the most important tips in addition to the ones in the different catagories.
MOST IMPORTANT TIPS TO FOLLOW...
- Always have fresh and cool water at all times. (adding icecubes to it is always fun too!)
- Make sure to have some kind of adequate shelter for some shade. If using dog house, be sure that it is very well ventilated, and in the shade.
- Never ever leave your pet in a closed vehicle. It can get over 120 degrees ina matter of minutes, even parked in the shade or with the windows slightly cracked. Pets can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die.
- Fill a child's wading pool with fresh water for your pet to cool off in. You can also wet your pet down with a sponge.
- Limit excessive exercise. Take walks in early morning or late evening. Humans change the type and amount of clothing worn, and we sweat more. Pets are still jogging in their furry coats! Make sure to carry some water for them too.
- Keep your pets off the pavement for long periods of time. Hot Pavement or asphalt will burn their sensitive paw pads. Pets can't perspire and can only cool themselves by panting and through their paw pads.
- Never leave your pets unsupervised by a swimming pool.
TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET: (Always keep recent identification tags with your pets at all times)
Keep your pet leashed. It can be tempting to let a pet roam of his/her leash... but even the best trained pet can slip out of sight and end up in trouble, be it from an encounter with another animal, a car, or a chemical hazard.
Always know of several vetrinarians in the area of your travel destination, you never know when you might need it.
"BY CAR"
The best way to travel is by putting your pet in a well ventilated crate. If your vehicle does not have air conditioning... Icepacks can be placed in the crate. A sunshade for the windows is great also. Fresh water and a bowl should be with you at all times. A spray bottle can be used to cool your pet down.
Never ever travel with your pet losse in the back of a pick-up truck. It is extremely dangerous and illegal in some states. If the bed of the a pick-up truck is your only option, make sure the pet is in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.
If you pet is not traveling in a crate inside your vehicle, a safetl pet seatbelt should be worn. Do not let your pet put his head out the window, flying objects could cause serious injury to their eyes.
"BY AIR"
Many airlines will not ship animals during summer months due to dangers caused by the hot weather. Make sure to check with your airlines for specific rules.
"BY RV"
Follow tips for car. Never depend on a generator for the air conditioning if the pet is left in the RV unattended. If you leave your pet in an RV with the generator running. Check it often or have a camping neighbor monitor it. Always keep some windows cracked at all times.
THE BEACH & SWIMMING POOLS...
- Always have a shady spot for your pet to rest in and once again... plenty of fresh water.
- Pets can sunburn, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin. Apply sunblock to the ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside, and limit the sun exposure.
- Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions. Pets are easy targets for sea life and jellyfish.
- Keep a limit on running in the sand, it is strenuous exercise. Sand can be hot and can burn the paw pads.
- Do not let your pet drink the water due to the salt or chlorine could make them sick. Make sure to rinse your pet off after swimming. The salt and the pool water can damage your pet's coat.
- Always make sure the beach you are heading to allow pets, not all beaches do.
- Always be careful of strong tides while swimming with your pet.
- Remember... swimming is very strenuous so don't let them get too exhausted.
- Never leave your pet unattended in the water.
- Provide pets with life preservers when going on to boat trips or if your pet is not a great swimmer.
SUMMER GROOMING:
- Shaving a hairy pet for the summer may seem like a good idea, but they can actually get a sunburn. Shave your pet at the beginning of the summer before it gets too hot. A lightweight summer haircut helps prevent overheating. Shave down to a half inch length, never to the skin, so your pet still has some protection from the sun.
- As far as skin care, be sure that anu sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.
FERTILIZED LAWNS:
- Summer is often a time when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. It's a good idea to keep pets off of the lawns that have been fertilized for 72 hours and away from potentially toxic plants and flowers.
- Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals.
- Talk with the neighbors to see if they have treated their lawns, as even walking through fertilized grass can trigger a deadly reaction in a pet who happens to be allergic to a particular chemical.
HEALTH HAZARDS:
- Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date.
- Get a flea and tick preventative from your vet. These preventatives help prevent flea infestation and tick bites.
- Mosquitos, which carry heartworm disease, are more prevalent in warmer months. Also get an effective preventative to keep these parasites off your pet.
- In areas where Lyme Disease is prevalent, consider getting your pets vaccinated. Particularly during the summer months.
- A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must.
- Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach.
- Antifreeze is actually a year-round hazard. With the warmer temperatures of summer, cars over heat and may leak antifreeze. (This is a bright green liquid.) Also, people may change their antifreeze and may spill, or leave unused antifreeze out where pets can access it. Antifreeze tastes sweet and is inviting to pets. It is also extremely toxic in very small amounts. Call your Veterinarian immediately if any ingestion is suspected.
FOURTH OF JULY:
- Please leave pets at home when you head out to any Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets. Even unused fireworks can be hazardous as well.
- Don't take your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat... can be stressful and dangerous for pets.
SIGNS OF HEAT STROKE:
- Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a pet's prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Below are the signs of heatstroke and the actions you should take if your pet is overcome.
> Heavy panting.
> Rapid breathing.
> Excessive drooling.
> Bright red gums and tongue.
> Unsteadiness, or a staggering gait, in an attempt to mantain balance.
> Glazed eyes.
> Vomitting.
ADVANCED STAGES:
> White or blue gums.
> Lethargy, unwillingness to move.
> Uncontrollable urination or defecation.
> Labored, noisy breathing.
> Shock.
If your dog begins to exhibit signs of a heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool the dog down:
> Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads.
> Apply ice packs to the groin area.
> Hose down with water. Wet the paw pads.
> Allow the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water.
> Offer Pedialyte to restore electrolytes.
Check your dog's temperature regularly during this process. Once the dog's temperature has stabilized at between 100 to 102 degress... you can stop the cool-down process.
If you cannot get the dog cooled down and you begin to see signs of advanced heatstroke, take the dog to the veterinarian immediately.
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