PET SAFETY IN SUMMER

By Alana Cunningham

Hot weather can take its toll on your four-legged pals. Here are some simple precautions you can take to keep cats and dogs safe:

1. Keep pets hydrated and protect them from the sun.
High temperatures can cause your pets to suffer dehydration and heatstroke. Here are a few ways to keep them cool:

• Never leave your animals in the car — not even if you leave the windows rolled down. According to a Stanford University School of Medicine study the temperature inside of a parked car can soar by 40°F in just an hour, even on a mild day. Eighty per cent of that rise in temperature occurs within the first half hour. The best option is to leave your pet at home while you drive to do errands.

• Make sure animals have easy access to bowls of water and refill them throughout the day.

• Always have a few shaded areas in your backyard where pets can hide out from the sun’s scorching rays. Remember to keep them indoors during the sunniest hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• If your pet is suffering from heatstroke (see “10 Signs Your Pet Has Heatstroke”), take her into a shaded or air-conditioned area. Soak her with cool (not cold!) water, preferably from a hose. Or, apply ice packs and let her lick ice cubes if she’s able. Then take her to your vet immediately.

• Even though pets are protected by fur, they are still prone to sunburn. This is especially true for pets with lighter hair and skin, or thin or shaved coats. Using animal-specific sunscreen is a good idea, especially if your pet is likely to lick it. Nutri-Vet and Epi-Pet have pet sunscreen sprays. Apply sunscreen on the ears, paws, tip of the nose, lips, and the belly if your pet likes to lie on his back.


2. Practise water safety with your pet.
Not every cat or dog instinctively knows how to swim; some have to learn. Also, it may be difficult for your pets to stay afloat in the water if they have health conditions such as obesity or heart disease. So pay attention to them around water.

• Never leave your pet unattended around pools, lakes, rivers or streams.

• Spot your animal as she learns to swim in the pool or lake. (It’s a good idea to clip cats’ claws before introducing them to water so you don’t get a nasty scratch.)

• If you have a pool, consider placing a safety fence around it.

• Install an emergency dog ramp in your pool and boat so your dog can easily get out of the water.


3. Ward off West Nile virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in general, the risk of cats and dogs contracting West Nile Virus is very low. Also, these pets do not suffer severe illness when infected with the virus.

However, young, elderly, or immune-deficient cats and dogs are more at risk. Symptoms include low appetite, problems walking, circling, tremors, convulsions, depression and abnormal head posture. There is no West Nile virus vaccine for cats and dogs currently, so try a little prevention:

• Keep your pets inside during the early morning and evening hours to reduce exposure to mosquitoes and their pesky bites.

• Keep your animals away from dead birds and squirrels that may carry the virus.

• Remove all standing water from around your home to keep mosquitoes away.

• If you’re very concerned about your pet contracting the virus, you can buy animal-specific mosquito repellent.


10 Signs Your Pet Has Heatstroke
1. Heavy panting an excessive thirst
2. Restlessness
3. Fever
4. Dizziness and/or lack of coordination
5. Excessive salivation
6. Vomiting
7. Lethargy or excessive fatigue
8. A fast heartbeat
9. A purple or dark red tongue
10. Unconsciousness

Alana Cunningham has written articles on pet care, college student finance and budgeting. Find more articles like this one by her at http://www.corecontentmedia.com.