Summer is here! It’s a time of outdoor fun that includes barbecues, beaches, long walks, and inevitably lots of sun and hot temperatures! Safeguard and protect your pets by taking necessary precautions. Animal Fair Media has created an informative tear sheet to put on your cool fridge that will help protect your pets from heat exhaustion, fleas and ticks, and other summer concerns.
Summer Heat
One of the very first steps for having a safe summer is never leave your pet in a car or enclosed vehicle of any kind, even with the windows open! The temperatures inside a vehicle can soar to well over 120 degrees F.
Remember to walk your dog in the early morning or evening, stay away from exercising your dog during peak heat hours.
The summer is the perfect time of year to give your pet a short puppy cut, or grooming, to get rid of their heavy coat, it’s cooler for them! If your pet gets a short cut, protect their skin with sunscreen!
If You Must Leave Your Pet In The Heat:
Outdoors:
Make certain there is plenty of shade. Keep in mind the sun moves throughout the course of the day. Be sure there is a constant source of shade, as pets will seek it out. Provide plenty of water. Leave an additional bowl of water in a shaded area to allow for accidental spillage or consumption.
Indoors:
If you don’t have air-conditioning in your home, a closed up house can get “stuffy” and too hot rather quickly. Open some windows and if available, leave a fan on. If it’s safe and your pet isn’t a wire-chewer, a standing fan pointed in the direction of where you know your pet frequents is a possibility.
Never forget to leave water placed indoor as well. A good tip is to add some ice cubes so the water remains cooler for a longer duration.
Signs Of Heat Exhaustion/Stroke:
Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting, reddening of the skin, dry gums and in more sever cases bruising of the skin, and possibly blood in the urine or feces. When experiencing heat stroke, our pets body temperature often reaches 107 degrees F and the tissues literally begin to bake. If you suspect heat stroke, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
A common misconception is to douse our pets in a tub of ice water. Don’t do anything until speaking to your pet’s vet first. You can cool your pet with cool water (not cold) and try to get them to drink as much water as possible.
Hydration is key to keeping your pet happy and healthy all summer (you too!). Petco offers a wide range of durable summer toys and bowls, visit: www.petco.com
Fleas & Ticks
In The Environment:
Summer 2016 has already been projected as one of the worst flea and tick seasons to date. Restrict your pets from warm dark places such as under decks. These are common breeding grounds for fleas. Don’t let your pet roam freely in tall grass or weeds, as ticks frequent and thrive in these areas.
Prevention Products:
Always consult your vet for the right flea and tick prevention treatments for your pet before applying. It’s important that you address the flea and tick issue; parasites can transmit diseased such as Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to you, your friends and family!
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