Summertime Pet Care Tips

Summer months are a great time for you and your pets to enjoy the great outdoors, but again there are some special precautions that all should be aware of when caring for pets in warm weather.

1. Water
   
   As always, fresh water is important. Water evaporates and gets warm quickly in warmer weather. Make sure your pets always have PLENTY of fresh water, and try to keep the water someplace cool, such as a shady spot. Refill bowls frequently.
   
   
2. Antifreeze
   
   Most antifreeze is EXTREMELY toxic to animals. Just a few drops can kill a cat, and a small puddle can kill a dog. In addition, antifreeze is tasty and attractive to pets. I could write an entire article on the horrors of antifreeze (maybe next time) but for now remember to watch for spills, be careful with disposal of antifreeze, and keep your car maintained. One company, Sierra, makes a non-toxic product, and I would love to see this supported.
   
   
3. Shelter
   
   Make sure there is some shelter available to your pet. Your pet must have someplace shady to get away from the heat of the day. Make sure your pet can get to the shade, and that there is shade at all times of the day no matter where the sun is in the sky.
   
   
4. Plants
   
   Some plants are toxic to animals. If you have a pet that likes to chew on plants, check with your nursery, poison control center, or veterinarian to find out if the plants in your house or yard are toxic. Plant awns and burrs can also pose special problems. They can get into ears and caught between paws, especially in long-hair do pets, and cause irritation, pain, and abscesses. Check that your pet is not picking up plant material on the fur.
   
   
5. Exercise
   
   Do not over exercise your pet in hot weather. Suddenly exercising a dog with a heavy coat is a good way to bring on heat stroke. Always bring fresh water if taking your pet out for exercise. Use the water for drinking as well as for cooling off your pet. Moistening your pet's paws is a good way of cooling them since this is one of the few places they have sweat glands.
   
   
6. Critters
   
   Most parts of the country have some sort of poisonous snakes around. Bites by poisonous snakes require immediate veterinary attention. Many stinging and biting insects are also out during the warm months. Insect bites can cause anything from mild irritation to severe toxic reactions, which may not manifest for several hours after the bite. Any abnormal behaviors,especially problems breathing, should be reported to a veterinarian immediately. Insects, especially fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, also carry a wide variety of diseases, many transmissible to humans. Fleas can carry tapeworms and the plague, ticks can carry Lyme's disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and mosquitoes can carry heartworms, just to name a few. Consult your veterinarian about the best way to prevent disease in your area of the country.
   
   

7. Cars
   
   Never, never, never leave your animal in a closed, parked car in warm weather. Animals die needlessly every year from overheating in parked cars, and they can die in just minutes. Please don't let this ever happen to one of you pets.
   

Most of this information is common sense, but do remember there are dangers out there, some of them deadly. But by taking a few precautions, you and your pets can enjoy a warm and healthy summer.

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