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Summertime can pose lots of dangers for pets, but a few precautions can help keep animals happy and healthy despite the heat and other dangers outdoors.
Summer is a dangerous time for pets, as the heat and more time spent outdoors can pose an array of potentially deadly hazards. Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, recently offered a host of tips for pet owners to make for a safe, healthy summer. • Keep your pet leashed and supervise trips outside. It can be tempting to let a dog roam off leash, but even the best trained dog can slip out of sight and end up in trouble, be it from an encounter with another animal, a car, or a chemical hazard. “If your dog is wandering – even in your own fenced yard - it’s also difficult to see what they’re getting into – an unleashed dog could easily eat a toxic plant or a rodent that’s been poisoned and you won’t know a thing about it until he falls mysteriously ill,” Dr. Levine explained. Monitoring pets while they’re outdoors is vital to ensure their health and happiness. • Don’t let your pet eat or walk on grass unless you’re positive it’s not been treated with chemicals or fertilizers. Also speak with neighbors to find out if they’ve treated their lawns, as even walking through fertilized grass can trigger a deadly reaction in a dog who happens to be allergic to a particular chemical. • Keep pools off limits. A dog can become seriously ill if it ingests pool water and a small dog can fall into a pool and drown if it's not large enough to utilize the steps. Never leave a dog unattended near a pool. • On walks, avoid prolonged exposure to hot pavement. Hot surfaces can damage a dog’s paws and cause pain and discomfort. Instead, opt for walks and other outings with pets in the morning or in the evening. • Use heartworm, flea and tick preventatives on pets to help prevent for tick bites and parasite infestations. Regular application of quality preventatives will help ensure a pet's health year-round. In areas where Lyme Disease is prevalent, consider getting your pets vaccinated, particularly during the summer months. • Provide pets with life preservers when going on boat trips. In the event of an emergency, even a strong swimmer will tire and suffer from exhaustion, which often leads to death from drowning. • During car rides, do not allow pets to stick their head outside the window. This puts them at high risk of sustaining an eye injury. “Some pets really like the window down, and for them, I recommend pet goggles, available at most pet stores – that’s another alternative for those die-hard car ride fans. It will protect the eyes from injury from debris,” Dr Levine explained. • Seatbelts are a must when pets ride in the car. An unsecured pet is much more likely to suffer deadly injuries in the event of an accident. Pet seatbelts are available at pet supply stores and online. And if your pet is riding in a small crate, be sure to secure the crate with a seatbelt. • Never leave pets inside a car, even just for a minute. “I’ve seen so many pets become ill and even die from hyperthermia when their owner got distracted and left them inside a hot car. Even with the windows down, the car can reach deadly temperatures in just a couple of minutes,” Dr. Levine explained. In the event that you see a pet left inside a car, immediately notify a nearby business if the owner is likely to be inside. It’s also recommended to contact the local police or fire department if a pet is found left inside a vehicle. • On hot days, provide pets with cool, fresh water, limit activity and keep pets indoors. In extreme temperatures, wetting down your dog can help keep him cool during walks. And when you do venture out, don’t forget to bring along some cold water for Fido. • Know the signs of illness, dehydration and hyperthermia. Signs of a problem include excessive panting, drooling, brick red gums or very pale white gums, sticky gums with thick saliva, lethargy, a lack of coordination, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and a loss of consciousness.
The copyright of the article Summer Safety Tips for Pets in Pet Care is owned by Mia Carter. Permission to republish Summer Safety Tips for Pets in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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