Summer tips for
you and your pet
Companion Animals and Cars
Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car. On warm
days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120 degrees in
minutes, even with the windows slightly open. Also, an animal left
alone in a car is an open invitation to pet thieves.
Though numerous car commercials depict it as the ultimate joy
in a dogs life, allowing your canine companion to stick his head
out the window is asking for trouble. Doing so can subject your pet
to injury by flying debris.
Dogs should never ride in the back of pick-up trucks. If you
are forced to make a sudden or evasive driving maneuver, your dog
could be thrown from the truck and seriously, or even fatally,
injured.
Safe Fun in the Sun
It is important to make sure that your pet has protection from
heat and sun and plenty of fresh water. Heat stroke can be fatal for
pets as well as people.
Leaving your pet outside unattended even for a few minutes
places he or she at risk of theft or harm.
Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and
duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On hot
days, save longer walks and games of catch for the cooler mornings
and evenings. Be especially careful with short-nosed dogs like pugs
and bulldogs. Their facial conformation makes it difficult for them
to cool their bodies by panting.
Dont chain or tether your dog. It allows no opportunity
for exercise and socialization, and when done for long periods of
time can lead to behavior problems. Instead, set aside time every
day to walk or play ball with your dog.
Keep your cat indoors. Though your feline friend may wish to
explore the outdoors, cats who are permitted to go outside are at an
increased risk of disease and injury from vehicles or other animals
Parasite Patrol
Take care in choosing flea and tick control products, as some
can be harmful to pets and children
Dogs and cats are at an increased risk of contracting
heartworm during the summer. Transmitted by a bite from an infected
mosquito, heartworm disease can be fatal if not treated. Check with
your veterinarian for the best schedule for heartworm testing and
preventive medication for your pet.
Spaying and Neutering
Important all year-round, the need for spaying and neutering
is brought home during the spring and summer months when animal
shelters are filled to capacity with litters of unwanted puppies and
kittens.
Spaying and neutering helps to reduce the pet overpopulation
problem
There are also numerous benefits to spaying and neutering,
including a greatly reduced risk of cancer and reduced potential for
aggressive behavior in your pet.
Water Safety
For a lot of families, summertime means
swimming time. If your pooch will be joining you on your adventures,
be it lakeside,
oceanside
or poolside, please read our following tips:
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool.
Not all dogs are good swimmers, so if water sports are a big
part of your family, please introduce your pets to water gradually.
Make sure all pets wear flotation devices on boats.
Try not to let your dog drink pool water, which contains
chlorine and other chemicals that could cause gastrointestinal
upset.