Summer's just about here and IT'S getting HOT!!!

At the start of summer we put away all our heavy winter stuff, dust off the patio furniture and beach chairs and start shifting our lives to embrace the wonderful outdoors. I like to live outdoors as much as I can in the summer and so do my pets.

I also like to check my 'summer pet safety tips' list that I've been adding to for the past few years, to remind myself of my pet summer safety basics.

Here's my 2009 version for keeping my pets safe and healthy. Check it over and see if you have these essentials in place for your pets too.

The biggest change from winter to summer is, of course, the heat. Heat poses many challenges for pets and it's good to be reminded to make allowances for the heat.

So that is #1 on my list: Summer heat problems prevented.

1. Be aware of how temperatures affect pets. The smaller their bodies, the less tolerant they are of heat (at least for mammals). Move fish, birds and other caged critters away from direct sun where they can get too hot and die. Make sure your dogs and cats have ways to stay cool be watchful for signs of heat stroke which may include: severe panting, unsteadiness, deep red tongue and gums, glazed eyes and vomiting.
   
   If you see any of these signs get your pet into a cooler environment and if needed place them into a bath with a little water to cool their body down. Use tepid (not cold) water and start at the paws, then feet, then legs and the body. It's important that the cooling be gradual, so don't pour cold water on your dogs' body. Cooling too quickly can cause shock making things worse.
   
   If the heat stroke is severe after cooling get your pet to a vet immediately. You can find the closest emergency vet at VetLocator.com.
   
   For more on heat stroke prevention and other emergency tips VetLocator.com has a great Emergency Pet Care eBook that is free when you join their mailing list.
   
   I also make sure:
2. there is shade and plenty of water available in the yard. We have a covered patio and a doggie water on demand thing set up on our hose. Our dogs, cats and the local yard
   
   creatures, lizards and birds, enjoy access.
3. I give my dogs and cats the option of being in the house or in the yard with our doggy door. We installed one of the pet doors that has a knob control that restricts passage in one or all directions, so they can come in but not go out again, or go out and not come back in again, or unrestrict both directions. This works out well because I can let them out and after they're finished romping and doing their business, they come in and stay in.
4. I also keep a fan going inside on hot days which keeps them cool. I find both the dogs and cats on the floor near the fan during the day rather than being outside, so it must be a cooler place for them.
   
   
5. I move their food out of direct sunlight and I switch to dry during the day. Food left out in the heat has the potential of spoiling or growing bacteria that could be harmful to our pets.

   Page 1 of 2 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 | Next