Hot Tips for Summer Pet Safety Care

When outdoor temperatures are on the rise, your pets are probably as excited to enjoy the summer sunshine as the rest of the family. Before the dog days of summer hit, it’s smart to review these ASPCA*–endorsed safety measures to better protect your beloved pets and family members.
 

1. An early summer vet checkup is a good idea to make sure your pet is up to speed with preventive care.
    
2. Do you allow your pets free access to an outdoor space? Make sure it’s fenced in and that there’s plenty of shade as well as fresh water. Pets get dehydrated quickly!
    
3. When outdoor air gets really hot and humid, keep pets indoors. Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse.
    
4. Never leave pets alone in a parked vehicle—it can be fatal, and it’s illegal in some states.
    
5. Don’t assume your dog is a good swimmer. Be sure to watch them around water. Dogs accompanying their family on boats should wear flotation devices.
    
6. If your dog loves to paddle around in the family pool, rinse him or her off after each dip. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can be hard on their skin.
    
7. Brush cats more often in the summer. It’s okay to trim a dog’s fur, but don’t shave it—dog’s coats are designed to protect them from sunburn and overheating.
    
8. Having a barbecue? Keep pets on a leash or in a kennel. Alcoholic beverages can send pets into comas, and sneaking bites of those grilled bratwursts can create severe digestive ailments.
    
9. Leave your dog at home when you head out to enjoy fireworks displays. The loudness can cause pets to become fearful and disoriented.
    
10. Our pets tend to run in and out of our homes in the summer with much higher frequency—and whenever they come back in, they could be tracking in not only bacteria on their paws, but deposits of outdoor pollen in their fur. Bathe your dog more frequently in the summer to remove fur-borne allergens, and consider wiping their paws with a damp washcloth when they come in from outside.
     
11. Frequently launder your pet’s favorite indoor lounging areas—sofa covers, doggy beds, kennel cushions and any other washable surfaces where dogs or cats like to relax.
     

Sources:

*ASPCA