Summer Safety For Our Pets

Are you and your pooch ready for the SUMMER FUN!

HECK YEAH! Take off those layers of clothes baby (or fur) because summer is coming! Let's swim at the beach, go hiking or just soak up some vitamin D. There are many exciting activities to do with your furry loved ones. If you live up north where the summers are short, you may want to rush out and enjoy as much as you can. However, we do need to remember summer safety for our pets. Summers are great but it does bring some not-so-great flaws with it. For instance hot and humid heat, evil bugs and painful sunburn. Our pets experience these issues, too. If you guys want to know how to keep your pooches safe from these threats then this is the article to read.

All Pets in the Hot Car

During the warmer days we want to bring our pets everywhere but sometimes they aren't allowed in certain places, so we leave them in the cars. NEVER ENDANGER YOU PETS LIVES. Unless you leave your car running it is basically a heat box. Even if you park under a tree with a windshield cover on, it still makes only a fraction of a difference. Cars are made from materials that trap and distribute heat which means the car's temperature inside will rise 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than it is outside. Sounds like a death trap huh? The average body temperature for a healthy dog ranges from 99.5 to 102.5, since that's already a hot temperature things will escalate very quickly. We do not want to do that to our fur babies! Please, if it's around 70 degrees outside, it's best for them to stay home where it's nice and cool for them.

Flea and Tick Protection

STAY AWAY FLEAS! Obviously we all hate fleas. Making sure that we have the right flea protection for our pets is beneficial for their health and safety. Fleas carry diseases like Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. They can live in temperatures as low as 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Flea eggs can even live year round but only in protected spaces. Using flea and tick protection will protect your pets as long as you use it correctly throughout the year. I know it can be expensive but it will be worth it. Especially if you live in the southern states.

There are many different types of flea protection. Some come in liquid form, pill form, as collars or in shampoos. Before you buy protection you want to make sure it is right for the pet and other pets that they will come in contact with. For instance some flea protection is harmful towards cats. Others come off easily if the pet is constantly in water. Please talk to your vet or research the flea and tick protection before administering the medication.

Hydration for Dogs

WATER! Water water water! Dogs need clean, fresh water daily, especially in the summer. Water is essential to living a healthy lifestyle. It helps lubricate their joints, helps their internal organs function properly and helps to absorb nutrients. In the Summer where water is the most important, it aids to cool down and maintain the dog’s normal body temperature. Without it they will become too dehydrated.

If you aren't sure of how the signs look for dehydration in dogs then I'll give you a few helpful signs. With two fingers gently pull up a fold of skin between your dog's shoulder blades and let it go. If their skin falls back into place quickly then they are okay, however if the skin slowly returns into place or stays up for a long period of time your poor pooch is definitely dehydrated. I would then make sure they have water and seek medical attention. Another way to tell is by their gums. If dehydrated it will appear dry, pale and sticky. They may also have a dry nose, mouth and eyes. So please always have a big bowl of fresh water waiting for them inside and outside. You can also purchase those On The Go water bottles/bowls for dogs.

Sunscreen

Yes! The warmth of the Sun! Nothing beats that after a long winter. Those rays are great but we all know that they can be very harmful without the right protection. We need to not only protect our human family but our four-legged family members as well. I know, I know that can come to a surprise but it's true. For the dogs that just love sunbathing or the ones that come along for a beach or hiking trip, sunscreen is still very important. Unless they have a coat that is as thick as Sasquatches coat, your pooch is still is going to need protection. you can protect them a couple of ways. One way is by buying sunscreen lotion for dogs. Yes, yes, they actually do have that for dogs! Avoid getting sunscreen with zinc oxide in it because it can be toxic to dogs. When applying sunscreen, you want to apply it to the spots where it is needed the most. On the bear or pinkish areas of the skin and on your pooches snout. They even make clothes that protect them from the sun!

Have fun and enjoy the summer with your whole family, just remember to play it safe!