With the summer, comes many risks for our pets.
The summer is finally here, and it’s time to say goodbye to those short, cold days of winter. While there’s a lot to be excited about in the summer, it’s important to know about the risks summer brings for our pets. In our last blog series, we talked about summer dangers for pets, and if you had a chance to read it, then you already know about the many things that can put your pet at risk. Luckily though, there are lots of things you can do as a pet owner to keep your pet safe. Here are just a few of them:
#1. Make sure your pet is on a heartworm preventative.
We recommend that you give your pet a heartworm preventative all year round, but if your pet isn’t currently on one, now is the time to get started. Heartworm is transmitted to dogs and cats by mosquitoes, which are most active in the summer, and the cheapest and easiest way to deal with heartworm is to prevent it. If you wait until your pet has already contracted heartworm to start being concerned about it, you’ll be faced with an expensive treatment option that is nowhere near as effective as prevention. Schedule your appointment with our animal hospital in Carroll Gardens today to get your pet started on a heartworm prevention.
#2. Be mindful about the heat when exercising your dog.
All dogs need exercise, and the summer doesn’t change that. However, in the summer, you may not be able to take your dog for a run in the middle of the day because of the heat. Dogs can get overheated quickly, and pushing your dog to exercise during the hottest part of the day is definitely a common cause. When the heat is on, take your dog for walks or runs early in the morning or later on in the evening to keep them from overheating.
#3. Make sure your dog always has water and a cool place to rest.
The summer is not the time of the year when it’s okay to leave your dog tethered to a leash outside in the full glare of the sun. Besides the fact that it is illegal in the state of New York to leave your dog tethered alone for more than three hours, it also puts their life at risk. This is another surefire way to overheat your dog, and it’s always essential that your dog has a cool place to hang out and plenty of water to drink. The same goes for leaving your dog in the car while you run errands. Contrary to what you might think, it gets much too hot in a car to leave your dog for even a short amount of time without the risk of overheating.
#4. Don’t leave your dog unsupervised around water.
Despite what a lot of people think, not every dog is going to be a natural in the water. Believe it or not, thousands of dogs die every year from drowning in backyard pools, and you should absolutely never leave your dog unsupervised in the water. For even more peace of mind, buy a life jacket for your dog to wear when you’re in the water!
#5. Be mindful of your pet’s feet when out walking.
When you’re out walking, it’s important to be mindful about the ground you’re walking on. Your pet doesn’t have shoes on like you do, and the hot asphalt underneath their feet can cause burns. When you’re walking outside, try to stay on grass and dirt during the hottest part of the day. But, as a general rule, you’re much better off walking your pet during a cooler part of the day, like in the mornings or evenings.
#6. Make sure all of your windows have screens.
If you’re home doesn’t have air conditioning, tempting a breeze into your home by opening your windows is one of the best ways to keep cool during the summer. However, it’s important to ensure that any windows you leave open have screens. Both cats and dogs could easily get out if you leave ground-level windows open, putting them at risk for getting lost, in a fight or run over by a car. And, if you live on the second floor or higher, it’s even more important to ensure that all windows have screens, as pets can fall out and get hurt or killed.
Summer can be a dangerous time for pets for many reasons, but there are lots of things you can do to keep your pet safe. To learn more tips for protecting your pet this summer, please stay tuned for our next blog. And, if your pet is due for a veterinary visit, schedule your appointment with us at The Vet Set in Carroll Gardens today!