Keep Fido Safe During Your Summer Fun
Edited by Jennifer L. Price
Ahhh, summertime. That means road trips, grilling, and fun
in the swimming pool. When preparing for your summer fun, don’t forget a
special member of your family—your pet.
 The World Wide Pet Industry Association, Inc.® (WWPIA), a
non-profit organization, announced today a list of tips to keep pets safe during
the sweltering summer months.
"Summer is great in that it gives consumers more time
outside with their pets," said Doug Poindexter, executive vice president, WWPIA.
"However, it also brings lots of risks including high temperatures, exposure to
outdoor elements and an increased threat of fleas and ticks. In our efforts to
promote responsible pet care, we've created a list of tips to keep your pet safe
while in the car, at the beach, and while simply playing outside."
AUTOMOBILE SAFETY
 Summer months see more Americans hitting the road for
weekend trips and extended vacations. More and more pets are now joining their
owners on these trips. When traveling with your pet in the car, it's import to
follow these tips:
 Use Proper Restraint: When traveling in your vehicle, your
pet should always be properly restrained for both your and their safety.
In the case of an accident, a dog can weigh up 30 times its weight upon impact
while traveling at 35 mph. Today, many companies create seatbelt systems
and crates to keep animals safely secured while on the road. One
recommended is the Quick Control Leash and Seatbelt Latch from Bamboo Pet.
Never Leave Your Pet In the Car: In 70 degree weather and
above, it takes only minutes for the temperatures in your car to escalate to
triple digits. Leaving the window open an inch does not provide adequate
ventilation. Many states are passing laws that prohibit leaving your pet alone
in your automobile. So if your car is parked, please make sure to remove your
pet from the car.
Bring Water: Car travel can make your pets feel anxious and
result in nervous panting. Be sure to take frequent breaks during your trip to
allow your pet the opportunity to re-hydrate.
OUTDOOR PLAY
 Hot summer temps can often change your daily routine with
your pet. Depending on where you live, it may be too hot to take your pet
outside during the day. Pet owners must take precautionary steps to make sure
their pets are adequately hydrated and not overheating when playing outdoors
during the summer.
Avoid Pavement in Hot Weather: Your dog has very sensitive
paw pads, and the hot asphalt during the summer months can burn them. Instead,
opt to walk your pet on grass or plan your walks during the early morning/late
evening when the pavement is not as hot.
Know the Symptoms of Heat stroke: Dogs cannot cool down as
easily as humans and are more likely to suffer heat stroke during the summer.
The symptoms of overheating include excessive panting, drooling, sluggish and
unresponsiveness. Dogs with thick coats, short muzzles and heart or breathing
problems are at greater risk for heat stroke and should remain indoors with air
conditioning during extremely hot days.
Refill Pet Medications/Combat Fleas and Ticks: Insect
populations increase during the summer months, escalating the chances that your
pet will come into contact with ticks and fleas. Make sure that your pet is
up-to-date with their heartworm shots and refill their flea and tick
medications.
WATER SAFETY
Pets, like small children, face the risk of drowning from
not knowing how to swim. A responsible pet owner should be aware of the dangers
that pools, rivers, lakes and the ocean present to pet owners. Acknowledging
these dangers and using precaution will prevent you from putting your pet in
harm's way.
Limit Access to Pools: Many dogs do not know how to swim.
If you own a pet, make sure that your pool is securely fenced off from the rest
of your backyard and that the gate is always closed when people enter and leave
the pool area.
Invest in a Life Preserver: Most dogs are not great
swimmers. If you plan to vacation on a boat or stay near a body of water with
your pet, it would be a wise investment to purchase a life preserver. Companies
have created vests outfitted specifically for pets.
Limit Time in Water: If your dog does enjoy swimming
outdoors, be sure to limit the amount of time they spend in the water. A dog
that is overexerted and can't swim back to shore is especially susceptible to
drowning. |
