Pet Care Tips For Summer
One of the most fun times of the year to be a pet owner is the nice, warm months of summer. It’s a great time to bond with your pet outdoors and to go for long walks in the park. Your pet will love going outside and seeing the world and being able to run around free and burn up some of that pent up energy. However, as fun as summertime can be, it can also be a very dangerous time as well. There are a lot of different things pet owners need to be aware of to ensure that their pets stay safe this summer and enjoy the beautiful weather.
One of the first pet care tips for summer is obviously the heat. As we all know, the temperatures rise pretty steadily over the hot summer months, and in some places can reach record highs. This can be extremely dangerous for your pet, especially with a thick coat. If you’re experiencing a heat wave in your area when it’s very, very hot, then you should probably just keep your pet indoors where it’s cool. Make sure to keep the house nice and cool so that your pet doesn’t overheat inside either. If you don’t have air conditioning then you need to have a fan on your pet.
Keep an eye out for heatstroke, as your pet will be susceptible to this during summer months. If your pet has a dazed look in its eyes, seems to be panting heavily, or salivating badly, your pet may be having heatstroke. One remedy for this is to wet down a towel with cool water, make sure the water is not too cold, and give him a couple of ice cubes to lick on.
One common mistake many people make that ends up being fatal for their pets is leaving them in a parked car in the hot weather. This is really not safe, regardless of how much you have the window cracked or how good the shade is. After sitting for 30 minutes the temperature in your car can reach a devastating 120 degrees! You wouldn’t leave your child in a hot car would you? Then, don’t leave your pets in one either.
Another vital pet care tip for summer is to make sure that your pet has plenty of water to drink. Make sure the water you give your pets water that is clean and healthy for them to drink as well. Dogs can’t sweat like human beings can. They can only sweat through the pads on their paws and when they pant. You can actually lower your dog’s body temperature by giving them plenty of water to drink and keep them from getting over heated.
Heartworms are another huge problem commonly related to summer time. Heartworms are parasites that enter a pet’s blood stream through a mosquito bite. These parasites make their way to the pet’s heart where they reproduce, often causing death. Mosquitoes are very common in the sticky summer months so take precautions to protect your dog from this parasite. Purchase some heartworm medicine that helps protect your animal from the parasites. Try to avoid environments where mosquitoes are known to thrive in, such as ponds, swamps, and other bodies of water.
If you are planning a vacation, don’t leave your pets at home as this can be very dangerous during hot weather. Make sure to make arrangements for your pet at a kennel or just take him or her along with you.
Your pet loves you just as much as you love them, so make sure to have a happy and healthy time this summer.
The Author is the happy owner of a pet health and insurance site called Pet Insurance Pro where he shares a lot more information on pet health, pet fitness and pet longevity. Read the latest article on VIP Pet Insurance.
Summer and the House Cats: Ti-Na-Ni-Na-Nu
Swans Pub, Victoria BC, June 30 2010. This is my dear friend Summer and her “local” band the House Cats. For more of her check out www.youtube.com
Summer and the House Cats: Rock Steady
Swans Pub, Victoria BC, June 30 2010. This is my dear friend Summer and her “local” band the House Cats. For more of her check out www.youtube.com
Pet Care during Summer Time
Summer is the most anxiously awaited season of the year for pets. The warm sunny sky gives them the opportunity to go outside and get proper exposure to the outdoors. However, too much exposure to heat can be bad for their health. Pet owners must therefore exercise caution during summer and look after their pets so they don’t end up hurting themselves while having fun in the great outdoors. Here we will mention some tips for pet owners to keep their pet safe and cool in the hot summer.
Give Your Pet Plenty of Water
Pets need to stay hydrated just like humans. This is even more important during the summer time when the scorching heat can raise the temperature into three digits. Not providing them with adequate water will lead to dehydration. Always make sure that their water bowl is full. A water reservoir is a good thing to have in order to keep the bowl full at all times.
Do Not Leave Pets in the Car
This is a very common mistake made my pet owners while they are out running their errands. They bring their pets along to give them some outdoor exposure however they end up leaving them in the car when they have to go into a mall or supermarket. This is an example of poor and careless pet care. Leaving the window slightly open does not justify leaving a pet inside a vehicle. The inside temperature can quickly reach suffocating limits and your pet can very well die if you leave him there for too long.
Time for a Haircut!
A very effective pet care technique is to shave your pet as the summer approaches. This applies mainly to hairy pets especially dogs. Trimming your dog’s hair will keep your pet cool and also lessen moisture retention, a cause for infections. It will also prevent open sores and hot spots. Both are very painful.
Take Your Pet Swimming
If you are a dog owner, one of the best things you can do for your pet is to get them their own swimming pool. Even if your dog doesn’t like or know how to swim, they will surely love to get a little wet and cool off. And you don’t have to invest in an actual swimming pool for them. A small plastic swimming pool from the local toy or pet shop will work wonders.
Avoid Exposure to Extreme Heat
As much as we would want our pets to have fun in the sun, too much sun can be harmful to them especially when the temperature is at its peak. Temperature over 95 degrees Fahrenheit is potentially dangerous for a pet’s health. Therefore try to take your pet out at times when it’s somewhat cooler such as during sunset or at night.
One of the cardinal rules of pet care is safety before fun. Pets are a responsibility just like any other family member. Their safety and well being must be insured. By following the above tips, both the pets and pet owners can enjoy a safe sizzling summer.
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Summer and brooke show- adopt a pet
we are adopting a pet Summers dog izzie!
Detoxing Your Pet from Summer Chemicals (www.MercolaHealthyPets.com)
www.mercolahealthypets.com Dr. Karen Becker of MercolaHealthyPets.com explains how to keep your furry friend protected from the chemicals and pesticides used during the warmer months.
