In summertime, the living isn’t always easy for our animal friends. Cats and dogs can suffer from the same problems that humans do, such as overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. By taking some easy precautions, you can celebrate the season and keep your animals pleased and healthy. The ASPCA provides these hot weather suggestions for pets:
– A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm, if your canine isn’t on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.
– never leave your pet alone in a vehicle-hyperthermia can be fatal. even with the windows open, a parked automobile can rapidly become a furnace in no time. parking in the shade provides little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.
– always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.
– The best time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.
– street smarts: When the temperature is very high, don’t let your canine stand on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. keep walks during these times to a minimum.
– A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. salty dogs ought to be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.
– offer fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a correctly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your canine or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.
– Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, ought to be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
– When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. and please be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. call your veterinarian or the ASPCA animal Poison control center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.
– good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a one-inch length – never down to the skin, please, which robs Rover of protection from the sun – helps avoid overheating. Cats ought to be brushed often.
– Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can cause neurological problems.
– having a backyard barbecue? always keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and insect coils out of pets’ reach.
– Please make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.
– stay alert for signs of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting and drooling and mild weakness, along with an elevated body temperature.
Water Safety
For a lot of families, summertime implies swimming time. If your pooch will be joining you on your adventures, be it lakeside, oceanside or poolside, please read our following tips:
– Do not leave animals unsupervised around a pool.
– Not all dogs are good swimmers, so if water sports are a big part of your family, please introduce your animals to water gradually.
– Make sure all animals wear flotation devices on boats.
– try not to let your canine drink pool water, which includes chlorine and other chemicals that could cause GI upset.
For much more information about the ASPCA, go to
Ingrid King
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2 comments on hot weather suggestions for Your Pets
Tammy says:
July 2, 2009 at 5:21 pm
These are great tips! Our men are all indoors, so typically they are pretty comfy in summer! We are getting ready to relocation to Oregon though – so a cross country trip with kitties is going to be interesting! Your suggestions are a good start though on my research on how to do this move! ?
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Cher Marie says:
July 1, 2009 at 9:57 am
This is great guidance Ingrid ~ these hot summer days are hard on our animal friends.
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