HOT WEATHER TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE… May-September/year round in some areas
Have plenty of fresh water available for your pet, inside & out. By using a heavy, porcelain or ceramic bowl, the water will stay 10% to 20% cooler. (Plastic and aluminum tend to get very hot, which in turn warms up the water.) Leave the water bowls in shady areas under overhangs to entice your pets out of the sun. Outside food & water bowls should be placed in a larger bowl or pan containing a few inches of water to keep ants out of the pets bowl.
Provide plenty of shade for outdoor pets. Pets do not sweat to keep cool as humans do. Installing a fan or mister on a shaded porch can prevent heatstroke — of course, pets inside air-conditioned houses are the safest. If you cant keep your dogs indoors, get an insulated doghouse to help keep their temperature down. Keep birds from overheating by setting up a misting system in your aviaries.
Be sure your pet has current ID tags at all times. Keep a current photo & description of your pet on hand. It will prove useful in the event your pet becomes lost on vacation or at home. Don’t plan a trip without thoroughly checking regulations for traveling with and/or boarding your pet.
Watch for spills of fertilizer, car coolant, garbage & yard trimmings — ingestion could be fatal. Keep your pet well groomed and watch for ticks & fleas.
Always supervise your pet around pools & lakes. Beware of fishhooks, fishing line, sharp rocks and other dangers to your pet. Many pets drown each year in backyard swimming pools. Be especially watchful of kittens and puppies around the pool. Teach your dog how to get out of your pool by placing the dog in the pool with you and gently guiding it to the steps. Do this over and over until the dog can find its way out of the pool without your help. Review this lesson every summer. You can do this with cats too. Don’t assume your pet knows how to swim. If you take your pet to the lake or out on a boat, get a pet life vest.
Find out in advance if YOUR local Emergency Clinic carry snakebite vaccine (anti-venin). If your pet gets bitten by a rattlesnake, subdue the animal, apply an ice pack, carry him to the car and immediately transport him to the Vet.
Keep you pet inside and secure during Fourth of July Fireworks! Many dogs & cats end up in shelters or hit by cars once scared by the noise.
Don’t leave your pet unattended in a car! Even with the windows open, a parked car can quickly reach 150 degrees and higher!
Hot concrete & asphalt can burn precious paws! Exercise your pets early, during the cool part of the day and walk them on grass. Remember, if it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for paws.
Don’t take your pet to the lake/beach unless you can provide shade & fresh water.
Don’t bike or roller blade with your pet for any length of time — your pet could quickly get heat stroke which can cause permanent brain damage and death.
Never use rat poison (which will result in your pet’s death), snail bait pellets (which can cause seizures) or moth balls — all are poisonous to our dogs and cats!
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