The Houston SPCA has offered some tips to keep your dog or cat cool and healthy during the hot summer.  I am going to recap some of their main points.

HOT CARS/HEATSTROKE: Do not leave your pet unattended in a car for ANY period of time. The temperature inside a car with Dundy Enjoying the breeze in Spring TXthe window cracked can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes.  A dog body temperature is normally 100.5 to 102.5 degrees if they get too warm their body temperature continues to rise and if their temperature exceeds 106 they could get heat stroke.  Signs of heat stroke may include excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue or gums, excessive drooling, lethargy etc. Heat stroke can cause brain damage, seizures and even death.

EXERCISE: On hot days limit your pets jog or walk to the early morning hours so they again do not suffer from heat stroke. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws.  I spoke to someone who had a dog die from running during the heat so better safe than sorry.

HEARTWORM PREVENTIVE:  This is a big one living in the Spring/Tomball/Magnolia area! Heartsworms are potentially fatal parasites spread through the bite of just one infected mosquito. In our area dogs should be on preventative all year long.  Our rescue Dundy was negative for heartworms when we adopted him but only a few months later he tested positive.  We chose to do the slow treatment where you just give the  preventative and one year later he was heartworm free.
 
SHELTER: With our brutally hot temperatures in the summertime it is best to leave your pets inside your air conditioned home.  If they must stay outside make sure they have adequate shelter with plenty of cool, fresh water and shade.
 
 
FLEAS/TICKS: Ask your Veternarian what the appropriate product for you animal is and follow all instructions exactly. According to the SPCA many accidental poisonings and deaths happen each year because people use the wrong produWater/beach safety for your pet!ct on their pe
 
 
WATER BEACH SAFETY: I have always thought that all dogs were excellent swimmers but according to the SPCA that is not necessarily the case. Always supervise your dog near water whether it be at the beach or a pool.  At the beach a strong undertow or riptide can drag a frolicking dog out into the water. Be sure and bring lots of fresh water for your pet to drink.  Rinse sand, salt or chlorine off of your pet as soon as you can. Just like we can sunburn so can our pets; especially if they have short hair, white hair and pink skin. If you have a dog that is susceptible to sunburning check with your vet about safe sunblock you can apply to their ears and  nose.
 
 
TRAVEL:  If you are taking a family vacation by car you might consider keeping your pet cool by putting ice packs in their ventilated crate. Bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl for rest stops.  You might want to also take a tarp so you can create a shady spot for them.  Another idea is to keep a spray bottle filled with water handy so you can spritz them to keep them cool.
I thought these were GREAT pet ideas and I hope they help to make your summer time with your pet an enjoyable experience.

For all your Spring/Tomball/Magnolia/The Woodlands needs, contact me today! Marchel Peterson Results Realty Cell: 832-721-8332

Search MLS in Spring Tomball MagnoliaTomball TXSpring TXMagnolia TX
The Woodlands TX
 
This post has been included in Texas Real Estate News Harris County, TX Real Estate News Spring, TX Real Estate News
Post is included in group: It's Raining DOGS! Dog Lovers Group
Post is included in group: All Thing's Texas
Post is included in group: Pet Friendly Real Estate
Post is included in group: Texas Real Estate
Post is included in group: The Woodlands Real Estate

12 Comments on Summer Pet Safety!!

AUG
06
812,801 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Marchel, it really gets my goat when I see a dog in the car during the summer months. I have, on occasion, called the police because of it.

Your post is full of excellent points for all dog owners.

6:00pm • #1
127,487 Points 1 Featured Post
Last year I took my then 14 year old dog on her normal walk. She barely made it home, clearly the walk in the heat was too much for her. I learned a big lesson that day, hopefully others can learn from your article.
6:28pm • #2
630,902 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Marchel: You have posted some very good information for folks. This is so good for folks that are new owner's with pets. Kinda like a new home owner, a few good tips help.

C&C
6:34pm • #3
865,945 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Marcel ~  this post is very informative and one that every pet owner should read.  It is so important to protect our pets.
7:40pm • #4
873,612 Points Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Marchel - Thank you for sharing detailed quality information about summer pet safety. Excellent blog.
8:20pm • #5
532,041 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Marchel,

What important information you provided here.

Just a few weeks ago I attened a memorial service in an area nearby that was in the 90's that day upon leaving I noticed 2 small little dogs barking like crazy inside a parked car. The windows were cracked a little but that had to be like an oven inside.

I went back inside to the event as asked them to make the announcement to the guests...and if they didn't I was going to call the FD who I imagine would have smashed one of the windows just to get them out.
10:33pm • #6
1,091,234 Points 201 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Hi Marchel, I just saw this on Lynda's repost and it is so sad to me that reminders like this are needed. As I meentioend to Lynda, I can think of no punished strong enough for those that purposely or even carelessly abuse these 4 legged family members.
11:25pm • #7
AUG
07
127,333 Points Called Shot Master

Marchel, It is so sad what these animals go through. Thanks for sharing!  
4:29am • #8
AUG
08
396,963 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

If I see someone's dog in a car, I'll break the window. Let them complain to me.
1:10pm • #9
329,956 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog

We're so dog friendly in Colorado that it's not uncommon to see water bowls out the door steps of shops. And it's even more common for shops around Canon City and Florence to have a full time pet that lives in the shop. And yes, you still see people leaving their pets IN the car - why?
7:36pm • #10
329,956 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog

We're so dog friendly in Colorado that it's not uncommon to see water bowls out the door steps of shops. And it's even more common for shops around Canon City and Florence to have a full time pet that lives in the shop. And yes, you still see people leaving their pets IN the car - why?
7:37pm • #11
AUG
20
1,309,202 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Marchel  Very comprehensive list 0 it always makes me wonder why so many pet owbers get a pet and then go about abusing it either through benign neglect or physical abuse
3:30am • #12

Login or register to leave a comment
 
Marchel2009 Rainmaker_large

Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Spring, TX

More about me…

Results Realty

Cell Phone: (832) 721-8332

Email Me

Informing you on the Real Estate Market in Spring Texas and the surrounding areas and other interesting tid bits!

View Marchel Peterson's profile on LinkedIn


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find TX real estate agents and Spring real estate on ActiveRain.