The Summer Season brings with it lots of outdoor fun, but it is also packed with dangers for pets. With a few simple precautions, you can keep your pets safe during all your summer fun.
Heat-Related Precautions:
Perhaps the most obvious summer dangers are related to summer heat. Pets are susceptible to the same dangers as humans and more! Pets with short noses, like pug dogs and persion cats, are at a particularly high risk of overheating. Protect all your pets by doing the following:
- NEVER leave a pet in a parked car!!!
- Provide plenty of fresh cool water.
- Always provide shade when outdoors.
- Avoid hot concrete and asphalt that can quickly burn paws.
- Trim hair if needed, but NEVER shave your pet.
Be aware of the early symptoms of overheating in pets and get help immediately if you notice excessive panting, increased heart rate, drooling, or confusion. Without immediate care, these can progress to elevated body temperature, seizures, collapse, and even death.
Lawn & Garden Precautions:
Most of us enjoy some form of gardening and lawn care in the summer. Even if you don't garden yourself, some of these dangers can occur when walking your pet or going to the park:
- NEVER leave a pet unattended around a pool, pond, or lake.
- Keep your pet away from freshly applied herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Look for pet-safe products and follow all directions on the package regarding pet exposure.
- Be mindful of which fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants you you choose (inside and outside). The NC State Extension Service lists over 600 plants that are poisonous to humans and/or pets. CLICK HERE to access the full database.
- DO NOT use cocoa mulch in your yard. This product contains the same toxicity to pets as ingesting chocolate.
Always be aware of your pet's surroundings and prevent them from ingesting unintended organic or plant matter during the summer months.
Other Summer Precautions:
- NEVER leave open windows that do not have secure screens.
- Keep garbage out of reach of pets. Accidental ingestion could cause dangerous toxicity or blockages.
- Stick to your pets normal diet. It is tempting to offer your pet seasonal human treats, but not all are safe for them. It is better to keep you pet on their standard diet.
- Protect your pet from fireworks. In addition to presenting obvious physical dangers, fireworks can also be extremely stressful for some pets.
These are just come of the most common summer precautions you should take concerning your pet. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office.
336-664-1522