Hot weather can be brutal for humans and pets alike. If your furry family members could speak, they would ask that you keep these suggestions in mind this summer.
1. “Please give me extra water.”
Indoor and outdoor pets need additional fluids during hotter months. An automatic dispenser is ideal for pets that live outside. Indoor pets should have an extra water bowl available in an emergency.
2. “Please do not leave me in the car.”
Temperatures inside vehicles can quickly exceed the century mark. Even leaving a window cracked may not be enough to ensure your pet’s safety once temperatures outside reach 70 degrees. Leave pets at home if you go somewhere. They won’t be welcome.
3. “Protect me from tiny enemies.”
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes take over the yard in warmer months. Fleas can be difficult to eliminate once indoors, ticks can carry Lyme disease, and mosquitoes can cause life-threatening heartworms. In addition to giving your pet a monthly oral preventative and assuring that your yard is free of long-standing water, you can do your part as a pet owner by treating your yard for these small but potentially dangerous little enemies. Call us at ABC if you want to incorporate pest control and take preventative methods a step further.
4. “I can’t win a fight with a poisonous snake.”
Poisonous snakes in Houston, such as copperheads and rattlesnakes, are dangerous to humans and pets. Call a nearby dog trainer to ask about a snake awareness course for your dog. Thoroughly examine ailing pets for possible snake bites without delay. Treating snake bites promptly is crucial.
5. “My paws hurt when we go for walks.”
Everyone knows Texas summers can easily make asphalt and concrete too hot for barefoot humans. Many people don’t stop and think about their pet’s delicate paws suffering for the same reason. If you want to take animals to festivals and other outdoor summer activities, you should carry the animal or invest in protective pet shoes. These paw protectors will also come in handy when temperatures dip below freezing.
6. “I can get sunburned or suffer from heat exhaustion just like you.”
Pet owners may think their furry coats protect them from the sun’s harmful rays, but animals forced to stay outdoors can still suffer from sunburns, heat stroke, or heat exhaustion. If your pets must stay outdoors, provide them with plenty of shade. A child’s pool is another great way to keep animals from overheating while you’re away. Treat pets to homemade freezer pops made with Pedialyte or another drink fortified with electrolytes.
Accidental injuries and pet deaths can easily be avoided by following these simple suggestions. In most cases, pets have the exact requirements as a human. If you don’t think a situation is safe for children, it’s probably unsafe for pets.