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Entry bubble Tips for Keeping Pets Safe This Summer

By: Stephanie | June 17, 2008 | Category: Health

There's a new notice on the door of my neighborhood supermarket: "Don't Leave Pets in Hot Cars." As I read the sign, I learned that it's more than a gentle reminder—apparently it's the law in my county. king charles cavalier sitting on a beach with sunglassesEven though my 40-year-old pet turtle seems to like temperatures as hot as possible, the warm weather brings hazards to many of our warm-blooded pets that we may not even think about.

Like the sign on my supermarket door advises, don't leave your pets in the car when it's hot outside. In my county, people can be charged with animal cruelty if their pets are left in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked, if the temperature is above 70 degrees (which can get much hotter in a matter of seconds). Since dogs and cats are less efficient at cooling themselves, they react to the high temperatures and humidity faster than humans.

According to the Army Medical Department, signs that your pet is having a heat injury include a bright red tongue; thick, sticky saliva; rapid panting; and weakness, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and shock. If your pet is overheating, you can lower its temperature by hosing it off with a garden hose or placing it in a sink or tub of cold water. Move the pet to a cool environment and contact your vet.

Another Army website reminds owners to provide shade and plenty of cool, clean water for pets staying outside, and to bring them inside during the hottest part of the day (if not simply keep them inside all day when it's especially hot). Exercise pets in the cool of the day, and be alert to hot pavement that can burn their feet.

If you take your dog to the beach, provide it with a shaded area and plenty of fresh drinking water, and rinse it off if it's been in salt water. And don't forget that pets with light-colored noses and fur can get sunburn, too.

The summer brings some other hazards to our four-legged friends, too, including cars leaking antifreeze and coolant that can taste sweet to a pet but be deadly, even in small amounts. And ticks, which carry Lyme disease, are most prevalent in the warm weather. As fellow GovGabber Colleen notes, check your pets to be sure they don't have ticks on them. Don't use human repellents that contain DEET on animals—check with a vet for the appropriate products. Lyme disease vaccines are available for dogs (my pup received the vaccine). Pueblo.gsa.gov offers information for both people and pets on the disease.

As we approach the Fourth of July, be sure to keep your pets indoors during fireworks, which can frighten them and damage their sensitive hearing.

Do you have any other tips for keeping pets safe this summer?

| View Comments [7] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: animals   car   cat   dog   heat   hot   lyme   pets   stephanie   summer   ticks   tips  

Comments (7):

blue comment bubble Posted by Michelle C. on June 17, 2008 at 04:38 PM EDT

Many people think it's okay to leave pet birds outside during the hot summer simply because many are "tropical" species.
Birds do not sweat, however, and do not automatically acclimate to outdoor temperatures if they spend most of their time inside our homes. Extreme temperatures may cause them to overheat and die. Several birds passed away outside D.C. when left in their outdoor aviary last week when temperatures were around 100 degrees F.
It's best to limit your pet bird's exposure outside when temperatures exceed 85 degrees F. If they are outside for longer periods, make sure they have large shaded areas to which they may retreat, and have multiple water sources are available. (Water evaporates quickly in extreme temperatures.)
Sunlight and time outside can be wonderful for birds' mental and physical health. We simply have to be careful and monitor them to make sure they appreciate their outdoor time safely.

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blue comment bubble Posted by www.worldwide-propertysales.com on June 18, 2008 at 02:53 PM EDT

With the comment about not taking your dog to firework shows with you...is there a safe distance that you can be so that we can be together as a family buy not worry about damage to his ears?

We have a small 20lb dog. Any thoughts?

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blue comment bubble Posted by Stephanie on June 18, 2008 at 07:18 PM EDT

Good question, worldwide. You should probably talk to your veterinarian about the distance your dog can be during fireworks shows.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Jo on June 19, 2008 at 08:00 AM EDT

I was always concerned using chemicals to control fleas and ticks such as flea powder and dip when having small children. I was afraid the children would pet the animal and get the powder on them and what if they did not wash their hands after touching their best friends. Course with the dip, after following directions, we made sure the animal was completely dry before the children were aloud to play with the pup/dog. Then there was the concerned of the flea color and with the bio-spot...how did that really effect the animal? Well, I receive these pamphlets in the mail encouraging me to order these books and they give you samples of what is included. OK? Mmm I tried some of these samples...and they worked!! One such sample was to add 1Tbs. Dawn dish liquid to a 16oz. spray bottle of water. It is safe to mist your carpets, furniture, betting and even the animals with. I usually mist the carpeting, let dry then vacuum and mist again then let dry...Flea problems eventually disappear. Bathing the animal with a little Dawn instead of flea soap/shampoo works just as well. I had recommended to a friend who had tried all kinds of expensive flea control supplies and until they started the Dawn mixture they could not get rid of the fleas...now they are believers! Yes, I got the book...wouldn't you. Another experiment I am using is that I was told to place a dryer sheet on me...in my shoe or pocket with a bit of it hanging out and it will keep those pesky bugs away while enjoying the outside or working in the yard...so far so good, it seems to be working. It sure beats the idea of spraying chemicals on my body or the children.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Clara on June 25, 2008 at 01:27 PM EDT

I'd suggest looking into chemical free flea treatment. Your dog will benefit from it--

http://mind-mart.com/pet/more-natural-flea-and-tick-control

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blue comment bubble Posted by Omitade on August 13, 2008 at 01:07 PM EDT

I have never heard about using Dawn for fleas. Is it only Dawn (the name brand?) or is it other dish detergents as well? I would love to know as I will try that immediately.

The desire is to keep our pets and children pest free with a minimal amount of potentially harmful chemical. I have been having worries about heart worms to the point that I have put up a blog simply to explore and accumulate the latest research on prevention. The products that are available both for heart worms and fleas and ticks are very expensive, when you have 4 dogs and for poor people who also love their pets, the costs are just out of this world.

http://www.heartwormsblog.brighterplanet.org.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Kendra on August 13, 2008 at 10:21 PM EDT

It is also important to consider the breed of your pet. Some breeds just shouldn't be at the beach on a hot day or you might need to take some precautions such as a good brushing or keeping them wet.

Love your Pets!

Kendra McCord
<a href="http://animallovepets.com">animallovepets.com</a>

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