13 Not So Common Animal Care Must Know Tips During Extreme Heat

Every summer in July it’s gets pretty hot. During this time you try to stay indoors much of the day and when you can’t, you stay hydrated. Our animals require special summer care, just like us. Our cats and dog pets have similar needs to us during these hot summer days. Here are a few must know summer animal care tips.

Just like you, your furry friends may need a health checkup. This checkup will ensure your pets stay healthy and keep them current on needed vaccinations. Your checkup may include testing for heartworms if your pet isn’t on year-round preventative medication.

Never deny your pets water especially during the summer. Some indoor pet owners wrongfully believe that not leaving water or just leaving a little water will reduce pet elimination problems. That is not the case. Pets get dehydrated very fast, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water. If your dog stays outside consider bringing it in during the day. Place extra water out when it’s hot or humid outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun.

Pets can overheat just like humans. Here are some signs, excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart, drooling, and some weakness. If you’re walking your dog and it lays down, it’s telling you it’s exhausted. You may also notice other symptoms like seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

You would think that common sense would inform people not to leave animals and kids in a vehicle but many of people have justified themselves to leave these helpless beings in a hot vehicle. While we will never know why this continues to happen every year, the only thing we can do is remind others to just don’t do it, even if it is “just for a quick minute”.

Dog owner or not, isn’t that face adorable!!?

13 Not So Common Animal Care Must Know Tips for Extreme Heat

Do not leave your dog in the vehicle, never, ever. Even if the AC was on before leaving the vehicle it gets hot very fast inside of a vehicle.
Ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. A basic animal care requirement not just summer animal care.
If your dog stays outside, make sure your dog has a shady location to cool off.
Take walks early or late, during the cooler hours of the day. It feels better for both of you!
Keep your dog off of hot pavement because it can burn your dog’s paws. Any pavement in this weather is considered hot.
When it’s hot to you, it’s even hotter for your pet. Allow a way for your dog to cool itself
Keep parasites like fleas, ticks and heartworms off or out of your pet. Consider inspecting your pet every day to keep ticks away.
Think about trimming or shaving dogs with long coats to help them stay cool. Apply doggy sunscreen to your dog’s skin if she or he has a thin coat.
Watch out for antifreeze. In the summertime, antifreeze can leak out of cars because the car overheats, leaving puddles on the ground that your dog might drink. Antifreeze taste good to dogs and cats, but its toxic when consumed.
Find out if your pet needs sunscreen. Some pets can be susceptible to sunburn. Consult with your veterinarian about which types of sunscreen are safest on your pet’s skin, and follow up by routinely applying sunscreen as part of your summer routine. Do not use sunscreen or insect repellents that are not designed specifically for use on animals. The ASPCA says ingesting certain sunscreens can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy in pets.
Keep in mind that with all of the time your pet will be spending outdoors, one of the biggest dangers is ticks. Even if your pet will only be outside during potty breaks.
Dehydration and heat stroke are very real threats for dogs. During the peak of summer dogs are especially susceptible to dehydration.
Bees and wasps may be new to your furry family member. They are pests to us, but they can peak the interest of your pet and make them want to investigate. While curiosity may not kill your cat or dog, bees and wasps can stung cats and dogs.

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