Summer Pet Safety!!

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 the 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 product 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