KEEPING PETS HEALTHY AND HAPPY IN THE SUMMER HEAT
The carefree days of summer are in full swing and for many of us this is the best time of year to get outside, commune with nature, breathe fresh air and spend lots of time with family and friends. The days are long, and the activities are nearly endless with boating, swimming, hiking, traveling, picnicking, camping or just plain hanging out and catching up on your reading or watching your favorite movies and television shows.
Yet, these great days of summer also bring with them hot and humid temperatures, thunderstorms, fireworks, barbeques and lots of conditions with which we might be fine, but not so much with our furry friends. And, the activities that we so enjoy may not be the healthiest or safest for our pets.
So, let’s review just a few ISSUES and offer a few TIPS for keeping Fluffy and Fido happy and safe as we enjoy all the fun summer has to offer.
HEAT AND HYDRATION
Pets can become dehydrated very quickly. Make sure they always have shade and water when outdoors. Don’t over-exercise them. Don’t put dogs on a leash and have them run next to you as you bike or skateboard. They need to stop frequently and pant, which is the only way they can regulate their body temperature. Over-heating can result in excessive drooling, panting, seizure and collapse. Older and over-weight pets are more susceptible to heat stroke and will be less tolerant of high temperatures. Also, pets with flat faces like Pug dogs and Persian cats also are more vulnerable to heat stroke as they cannot pant as effectively as other breeds to cool themselves down.
TRAVEL WITH CARE
It’s great fun to include our pets in family outings. But never leave your pet in a car on a hot day. It doesn’t matter if your car is in the shade or if you leave the windows open. A vehicle with an indoor temperature of 70 degrees can easily rise to 90 degrees in less than 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, the inside temperature of your car can rise 30 degrees. After one hour the temperature in your vehicle can be 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. That means that while you’re experiencing a beautiful day of 70 degrees, your pet may be trapped in a car in which the temperature could be over 110 degrees.
PROTECTING PAWS
The paws of our furry friends are very delicate and need to be protected during the hot summer months. Accordingly, be careful when walking outdoors with your pet. First, the ground temperature can be about 20 degrees higher than the temperature you experience 5 to 6 feet above the ground. And, cement or asphalt surfaces can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the air temperature. So, when you’re enjoying a pleasant walk in mild temperatures, your pets could be suffering from paw pain and burns. Just be sure to avoid these hot surfaces whenever possible, walk in shaded areas wherever you can and keep walks to a minimum on hot days.
TOXIC ALERT
Summer is a fabulous time to enjoy parks, camping grounds and gardens filled with seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Yet, many of these locations and destinations are protected by commonly used rodenticides, pesticides, insecticides and weed killers – all of which can be toxic to our pets. So, be careful where you walk and never cross a barrier that warns of recent spraying. Even citronella candles, scented deodorizers, tiki torches and charcoal briquettes are made of ingredients that can harm animals. So, keep all these summer human essentials stored properly and out of reach from your dogs and cats.
SWIMMING SAFETY
There’s nothing more inviting on a hot summer day than a cool refreshing dip in the swimming pool. But this doesn’t include our pets. Okay, cats typically aren’t tempted to swim the day away, but many dogs are. Yet, even the Fidos in our life may not be good swimmers. Dogs need to be introduced slowly to water. They need to know where the pool steps are and how to get out. Always rinse your dog after swimming to remove any salt or chlorine from her or his fur. And, if your dogs join you on a boating excursion make sure they are fitted with a flotation device designed specifically for canine use. And, never allow your pet to drink from a swimming pool as the water contains salt, chlorine and other chemicals that can be hazardous to their health.
GROOMING GUIDE
Summer grooming is an important part of keeping your pet healthy and comfortable during the summer months. So, feel free to trim the longer hair on your dog, but never shave them. The layers of hair in a dog’s coat protect them from sunburn and from overheating on hot days. Brushing your dog regularly is fine and will help remove loose, dead hair as well as debris. Similarly, brushing your cat will remove loose hair in the coat and can help prevent problems caused by excessive heat. UVB protected vests, glasses and visors designed for dogs are always a good idea for the athletic, outdoor type. And, if you use insect repellant or sunscreen on your pets, make sure the products are labeled safe for animal use.
We all love our pets. They enrich our lives and make every day just a little bit better. They shower us with unconditional love. So, let’s make sure our summer fun includes doing all the things that are best for them, which usually comes down to following a few simple rules and exercising a little common sense.
With that, I wish you and your furry friends a wonderful summer filled with memorable, happy and healthy times.
Thanks again for joining me everyone! Until next time stay in GOOD HEALTH and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
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