Summer is associated with fun, but it can also pose hazards to pet safety and health. Here are some tips for keeping you and your pets stress free, safe and healthy this summer.
Overheated Cars
Overheating in cars is one of the most common, yet avoidable hazards pets face in the summer. When it is 82 degrees outside, the temperature inside your car can quickly climb to dangerous levels of 109 to 120 degrees. So thinking, “I’ll be back in just a minute,” will not keep your pet safe from experiencing incredible stress while they overheat in the car. Keep your pet safe by leaving them at home, taking them inside shops that allow pets, using drive-up windows, or leaving the pet with an adult family member in a car parked in the shade with the windows rolled down. If you see a pet in a car on a hot day, try to locate the owner or call your local animal rescue hotline.
Water Safety
Pet Stress Some pets may experience stress near water and may not want to swim, so dont force them.
Drowning Pools are a potential drowning risk. Be aware that pool covers may not be strong enough to prevent pets from falling through. Keep pools and hot tubs fenced and locked. And always supervise swimming pets.
Water Hazards Lakes and ponds can contain run-off from fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that can result in illness and even death if a pet consumes too much contaminated water. Chlorinated pool water can cause skin irritation and fur dryness and if consumed, can cause diarrhea and other illnesses. Salt water also dries fur and irritates the skin. After a pet swims, always give them a quick rinse with fresh water and towel them dry, making sure to carefully dry ears to prevent infections.
Pet Life Jackets Life jackets are available for pets to confer extra safety while aboard boats, on docks, or just around water. Lifejackets are sold in stores and online at sites like www.pawsaboard.com.
Hypothermia Pets can experience hypothermia from prolonged swimming in unheated pools, cold lakes, rivers, ponds or the ocean. Symptoms of hyperthermia include shivering, dilated pupils, blue gums, decreased heart and respiratory rate, stupor and coma. If you suspect your pet has hyperthermia, wrap them in towels or blankets, provide a hot water bottle, and take them to a vet immediately.
Heat Stroke
Outside If pets are outside in the yard or on decks, patios, or porches, be sure they always have access to shade and fresh water, regardless of whether or not they are tied up or on a run.
Inside If pets are inside, make sure the house is cool enough during hot days. Pets should have access to cool basements or are kept in air conditioned or well-ventilated rooms.
Keeping Cool If possible, consider keeping pets cool by giving them a cool water bath, especially if you will be out for a few hours. You can gently hose off dogs, mist birds, or wet cats with a cool wet towel.
Heavy Fur Groom and brush pets frequently to remove shedding fur to reduce the likeliness of heat stroke.
Symptoms Heat Stroke symptoms for dogs and cats include elevated body temperature (104 110), excessive panting, lethargy, staggering, stupor, seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, dark or bright red gums and tongue, coma. Obtain veterinary treatment immediately, and provide cool water and cool wet towels to lower body temperature on the way to the vet.
Best Prevention Method Always provide cool fresh water at all times.
Drinking water
At Home – Always provide cool fresh drinking water in a non-tip bowl to prevent pet dehydration and heat stroke. Try adding an ice cube to entice pets to drink.
On the Go – Carry a travel bowl and bottle of water to provide frequent opportunities along the way for a cool drink.
A Walk in the Park – Remember to bring a bowl and bottle of water when out for a prolonged exercise period or trip to a dog park.
Windows and Doors
Be sure to keep windows and doors closed. Pet birds, dogs and cats can escape through open windows and doors so add screens or restrain pets in pens, cages, or with leashes. Vets warn that pet injuries and deaths increase during summer months due to falls from window ledges and fire escapes because windows and doors are left open.
Car Safety
Pets can fall or jump from cars with open windows if they are not properly restrained. Pets should be properly secured for car travel. Check out www.ruffrider.com for the latest on pet seat belts and travel tips.
Exercise
Pets can’t take off layers to stay cool while they exercise the way we do. When the temperatures outside are intense, consider running without your dog. But if you must take Fido with you, think about slowing down the pace, reducing the duration of the exercise, and exercising in the early morning or evening when temperatures aren’t as high.
Plants and Gardens
Soil - Lawn and garden care products such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, especially in concentrated amounts, pose hazards to pets. Prevent pets from chewing or eating treated plants and dirt. Store unused lawn care products in pet-safe inaccessible storage areas. Discard product containers in tightly-lidded trash cans to prevent pet from chewing on plastic bottles.
Plants There are more than 700 plants that can be hazardous to pets. Potted house plants, such as Easter lilies or poinsettias, which are moved to gardens or patios for the summer, are hazardous to pets if eaten. Outdoor plants, such as azaleas, lily of the valley and tulips can be deadly if a large quantity is consumed. Check out www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ to see what other plants are hazardous to your pets. Try to avoid planting hazardous plants, fence in your gardens, and keep pets restrained and supervised.
Mulch Although this may seem odd, some mulch is made from cacao beans, the same substance found in chocolate. Cacao is toxic for dogs and cats, so inquire about the ingredients in the mulch you are buying, avoid using mulch with cacao beans, and try to prevent pets from eating mulch.
Insects and Parasites
Heart Worm Disease This disease is transmitted to pets by infected mosquitoes carrying heartworm larva. Heartworms can be detrimental to the health of your dog if not treated immediately. Heartworms can be detected by blood test so consult with your vet about testing and medicine for heart worm disease.
Parasites The bites from parasites such as fleas and ticks can be annoying to pets and can carry diseases such as Lyme Disease. Please click here to our archived article to learn more about fleas and parasites.
Thunderstorms
Summer thunderstorms can cause stress to pets that dislike loud noises. Stressed pets can become tangled in tethers or leashes, or trapped while trying to escape during thunderstorms. Respect your pets’ fear of thunderstorms and provide comfort and/or safe hiding places during storms.
Hot Pavement
Hot pavement is a hazard to pets. Walking on excessively hot pavement can cause burns to pet paw pads. Check your pet’s paws for redness or pain and contact a vet if you suspect burned paw pads.
Events, Picnics, Barbeques
The summer season brings many social events that are fun-filled for people but can cause harm or stress to pets.
Hot Grills – Hot grills and hot food can burn pets. Keep pets restrained and far away from the cooking activity.
Hazardous Food – Picnic food intended for people is not always appropriate for pets. Advise your guests to refrain from sharing people food with pets.
Noise – Loud noises, music, many people and fireworks can cause stress to pets. Provide safe quiet places for pets to hide during parties you host. When attending outdoor events with your pet, supervise and comfort them or consider leaving them safe at home.
Environment - General Information
Many pets' stress-related behavior problems and health issues can be reduced or eliminated by having a calm and predictable home, a familiar regular schedule and adequate companionship. In this section, you can learn about how to make your home a calm and predictable environment for your pet when you are home or away for short periods. You can also learn about reducing your pet’s stress while traveling with your pet, and how you can reduce your pet’s stress if you must leave them behind while you are traveling without them. Finally, you can learn about separation anxiety in dogs, cats and birds and what you can do to relieve pet separation anxiety.
