7 Quick Tips for Summer Pet Safety

Spending time outside with friends and family is the best part of summer, especially when your pet decides to tag along. But our furry companions require special care in the hot weather. Before you head out to a picnic, park, swimming pool, or even vacation, check out these 7 quick tips for summer pet safety.

1. Never leave your pet in the car
   Even when the outdoor temperature is a mild 80 degrees, the indoor temp of your car can get as hot as 99 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 10 minutes. Just don’t do it!
2. Get the jump on fleas and ticks
   As early as spring time, make sure your dog or cat is seen by a veterinarian for a heart worm check and administration of flea and tick drops. Don’t wait until Fido starts itching to protect him from the biting bugs of summer. Reminder – If your home isn’t as cool as it should be, let our experienced technicians inspect your air conditioning unit to keep Fido and Fluffy comfortable inside too. 
3. A shady spot and a tall cold one
   If your pet spends time outside, especially while you’re away, make sure it has ample shade and water. Avoid putting water in direct sunlight and add ice cubes if possible.
4. Humidity: Annoying for curly-haired girls, dangerous to pugs
   When the air is humid, be especially mindful about your pet overheating. Animals pant to help cool themselves down, but humidity can make it harder to do so, especially for dogs with short snouts like pugs, bull dogs, and boxers.
5. Until they make comfortable dog shoes
   Avoid walking your dog in the heat of the day, and steer clear of asphalt, pavement or other surfaces that can burn tender paw pads or overheat small dogs.
6. Pool time. You’re the lifeguard
   Regardless of what those cute clips on America’s Funniest Home Videos would have you believe, not all dogs are good swimmers. Always supervise them near an unfamiliar open pool, and if you have one, teach him/her how to use underwater stairs to exit the water.
7. Garage – the toxic buffet
   If you have a curious cat or carnivorous canine, the garage can be a dangerous place full of interesting smells. Items like weed killer, fireworks, bug spray, and even charcoal briquettes are all toxic to animals, but can be quickly ingested if left unattended.

Now that you’ve tucked away those nuggets of summer pet safety – grab your selfie stick, sunblock, bottled water, Frisbee and head to the park. Dogs love Frisbee!