Summer is HERE, and your pets are probably as happy as you are. Check out some of the pet care tips below to ensure a fun and safe summer with your pets.
Walk your dog early in the day to help prevent heat stress, and burns from hot pavement.
Always ensure fresh, cool water is available for your pets to drink. Bring a pet water bottle and bowl if long walks or hikes are on the agenda.
Be sure they have a shady place to rest and be out of the direct sun. If you do not have a place for them, make one!
Check out our blog post about how to create a safe, cool, outdoor pet area.
NEVER leave your dog unattended in a car, ever. Even outdoor temperatures at 70* can create temperatures inside a vehicle to reach up to 120*. This is deadly to pets. Additional risks include pet theft or escape. If you need to run and errand in warm weather, take your pet home first.
Keep pets indoors during extreme temperatures. If you don't have AC, use ceiling fans, electric fans, and ice in water bowls to help keep pets cool. Allow pets access to cooler areas of your home, such as lower levels, or rooms with cool flooring like tile or vinyl.
Be cautious with plants in the yard and in the vegetable garden. Some plants are toxic to pets and can cause very serious symptoms, and even death. Use online guides to choose plants that are pet safe, or plant them in a separate, fenced in area that your pets cannot access.
If you have a pool or water source near you, be sure your pets cannot access them without supervision. Fence off areas to protect your pets from entering the water. Teach them to swim, and use pet floats and landing pads for them to access should they fall in. Animals that fall in pools or ponds panic and oftentimes cannot get out. Check out this link from the AKC HERE about teaching your pet water safety, and how to swim!