Learn how to help your dog make the most out of summer with these pet safety tips.
For many of us, it’s the best time of the year to be outside and enjoy all the season offers. While there is nothing wrong with taking your pet out for hikes, picnics, swimming, or running, remember that warm weather can be dangerous. Since dogs commonly cool themselves through panting, it’s hard for them to breathe when there is only hot air. Learn how to help your dog make the most out of summer with these pet safety tips.
Never Leave Your Pet in a Hot Car
The pet safety tip is that pet owners should know never to leave their pet(s) alone in a hot vehicle. Most people don’t realize how hot it becomes in parked cars. Unfortunately, it only takes minutes for an animal to develop heat stroke and suffocate. Your best bet is to leave your dog home on the warmer days. Otherwise, bring water and a water dish, and take your pet pal with you when you leave the car if you are out driving.
Your Dog Should Have Access to Cool Drinking Water and Shade
Our dogs get much thirstier than we do when they get hot. Other than drinking and panting, canines have no way to cool themselves down. Even though dogs enjoy sunbathing, direct sunlight may overheat them and cause heat stroke. So, ensure to keep your pet in the shade as often as possible. Moreover, dogs can sunburn, particularly those with short or light-colored coats. Like people, sunburns can be painful for these animals, and overexposure to the sun might result in skin cancer. Pet safety tip: talk to your Annapolis veterinarian about sunscreens for your canine.
Keep Your Pet’s Paws Cool
When the sun blazes, surfaces such as metal or asphalt can become hot! So, keep your dog off hot asphalt because it can increase your pet’s body temperature and burn its paws. It is also not ideal to drive around with your pooch in a truck’s bed because the hot metal can burn paws quickly. As a result, they can fall out to be killed or injured in an accident. Fortunately, dogs who love the water, especially during the hot months, get wet and keep them refreshed. Providing a kiddy pool is suitable for these types of dogs.
A pet safety tip is that just because canines instinctively know how to swim doesn’t indicate they are good swimmers. So, if your pet jumps in your swimming pool, it might not be able to get out without assistance and could easily drown. Make sure your dog has supervision from you or another person when in a pool.
Monitor Your Pet’s Weight
Most dogs gain a few extra pounds after a long winter. Summertime is ideal for increasing your pet’s exercise level and getting in excellent shape. A pet that maintains a healthy weight during its lifetime will live, typically two or three years longer than an overweight pet. Remember not to overexert your canine! Also, talk to your vet regarding more pet safety tips. It’s vital that you provide enough rest to your pet, especially if it is overweight.
Support Your Pet’s Wellness at Alexander Animal Hospital
Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.
We understand you have a choice when deciding on the care for your pets, and we strive to provide you with unparalleled services including wellness exams, vaccines, lost pet microchip ID, dental care, surgical services, digital radiography, and in-hospital laboratory services and diagnostics. Other highlights of Alexander Animal Hospital are the separate cat and dog waiting and exam rooms, as well as after-hours on-call emergency services.
Please take a look around our website and then give us a call at 410-777-8678 to set up an appointment. We’re social! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for all the latest updates!