Sizzle and Sweat: Summer Pet Safety You Can Count On

Sirius is a star that Roman and Greek astrology associate with high heat, drought, thunderstorms, and “mad” dogs. In short, the “dog days” of summer relate to the stickiest, most sultry, hazy days all year, and we’re currently in the thick of it. Despite the heat and humidity, many pets still find themselves outside. Unless they’re protected using summer pet safety guidelines, these pets could be in serious trouble.

A Way Home

Summer is the perfect time to up the ante in regards to outdoor fun. Whether it’s water recreation, camping, or simply hanging out downtown, make sure your pet is easily identifiable. His or her collar should sport clearly legible ID tags and your pet should have updated microchip information, if applicable.

With abundant thunderstorms, fireworks, block parties, and BBQ’s, pets can escape, even if we are extra cautious. By keeping updated tags and microchip information, you can be quickly contacted if an emergency happens to strike your pet while they’re separated from you.

For successful summer pet safety, it’s also important to realize that the number of car accidents spike between May and September, which can be a real threat to your pets. Install secure fencing and gates to keep pets safe at home, and confirm that your pet’s leash and collar fit well.

Greenery and Summer Pet Safety

While plants and flowers may look a bit wilted by now, they can still harm your pet. Hydrangeas, geraniums, lilies, and hops (among others) are toxic to pets and should never be eaten by your fur babies. Even the pollen from lilies can be poisonous to cats, so be sure to either remove these plants from your garden or restrict your pet’s access to these parts of the yard.

Also, cocoa mulch, snail bait, pesticides, and fertilizers should always be off limits for summer pet safety.

Ow! So Hot

The worst offender to summer pet safety is, of course, the heat. When unprotected from the risks of heatstroke and dehydration, your pet could face a real emergency. Likewise, over-exertion can lead to adverse symptoms. Try not to exercise with pets in the middle of the day, and reserve your walks for evening and early morning hours.

Please never allow your pet to stay in the car alone. Internal temperatures can quickly skyrocket, exposing your pet to the dangerous side effects of heat stroke, including:

• Excessive panting and drooling
• Discolored gums
• High blood pressure
• Laziness or lethargy
• Seizures or coma

Left alone, heatstroke can be fatal. Please contact us for help, guidance, and transportation tips for your pet.

Other Tips

Promoting summer pet safety is fairly simple. Always provide fresh, cool water, shade, and cross ventilation. Remember, if the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s far too hot for your pet’s precious paws. Be aware that paws also require extra protection from saltwater, mud, thorns, burrs, foxtails, and other debris during summer adventures.

If you have any questions or concerns about summer pet safety, we invite you to call us. We’re always here for you and your pet, and we hope that you have a terrific summer together!