** Do not leave your pet alone in your car -- Vehicles heat quickly in the sun, and animals left in them can succumb to heat stroke in a very short time. Signs to watch for are: heavy, loud breathing, a staggering gait, and a bright red tongue or gum tissue. If heat stroke is suspected, get the animal to a cool place, put cold compresses on his belly, or wet him down. This is a medical emergency! Take him to your veterinarian as quickly as possible.
** Limit exercise -- To prevent him or her from overheating, don't let your dog exercise in hot weather. If you want to run with your dog, do it in the cool hours of the early morning or late evening.
** Keep cool -- Dogs and cats need a cool, shady place to sleep during hot weather, as well as plenty of clean, fresh water, accessible at all times. Feed your dog or cat in the cooler hours of the day. Older animals have a hard time in hot weather, so be extra sensitive to their needs during the hottest hours of the day.
** Vaccinate! -- Be sure that your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date. Parvovirus, an illness that flourishes in hot weather, can be fatal to dogs that have not received their vaccinations. Also, be sure your pet's rabies vaccinations are current. During the summer months, pets often spend more time outdoors, and the chances of encounters with wildlife (possible rabies carriers) increase.
** Beware of heartworms -- If your dog hasn't been tested for heartworm this year, see your veterinarian. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, but it can be prevented by administering a monthly preventive between early spring and November.
** Keep 'em leashed! -- Leashes save dogs lives! Keep your dog on a leash when you are walking so he can't run into traffic or chase cats and squirrels or other wildlife.
** Fireworks -- Play with your pet to fend off July 4th firework fears. Playing a game with your pet when he shows early signs of anxiety, like pacing or trembling, can distract him from the stressor and, in the long term, teach him to associate that same stressor with positive things such as play and treats.
** Keep a lid on the picnic food -- Keep dogs away from picnic garbage. Ingesting corncobs and chicken and other bones can be life-threatening. Also, according to the ASPCA animal poison control center, many fruits, including any peels, seeds, or stems - that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and result in vomiting and diarrhea when eaten. In severe cases, weakness, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, shock and even death can occur.
** Keep windows secure -- Use a heavy screen on windows or keep them closed if you have cats. During the summer, the number of cats suffering from "high rise" syndrome, or falling from windows, increases dramatically. The most severe injuries occur when cats fall from second or third floor windows.
** Guard the pool -- If you have a pool, don't leave your dog unattended in the pool area. Not all dogs can swim and can drown if they fall into the water.
** Limit exercise -- To prevent him or her from overheating, don't let your dog exercise in hot weather. If you want to run with your dog, do it in the cool hours of the early morning or late evening.
** Keep cool -- Dogs and cats need a cool, shady place to sleep during hot weather, as well as plenty of clean, fresh water, accessible at all times. Feed your dog or cat in the cooler hours of the day. Older animals have a hard time in hot weather, so be extra sensitive to their needs during the hottest hours of the day.
** Vaccinate! -- Be sure that your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date. Parvovirus, an illness that flourishes in hot weather, can be fatal to dogs that have not received their vaccinations. Also, be sure your pet's rabies vaccinations are current. During the summer months, pets often spend more time outdoors, and the chances of encounters with wildlife (possible rabies carriers) increase.
** Beware of heartworms -- If your dog hasn't been tested for heartworm this year, see your veterinarian. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, but it can be prevented by administering a monthly preventive between early spring and November.
** Keep 'em leashed! -- Leashes save dogs lives! Keep your dog on a leash when you are walking so he can't run into traffic or chase cats and squirrels or other wildlife.
** Fireworks -- Play with your pet to fend off July 4th firework fears. Playing a game with your pet when he shows early signs of anxiety, like pacing or trembling, can distract him from the stressor and, in the long term, teach him to associate that same stressor with positive things such as play and treats.
** Keep a lid on the picnic food -- Keep dogs away from picnic garbage. Ingesting corncobs and chicken and other bones can be life-threatening. Also, according to the ASPCA animal poison control center, many fruits, including any peels, seeds, or stems - that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and result in vomiting and diarrhea when eaten. In severe cases, weakness, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, shock and even death can occur.
** Keep windows secure -- Use a heavy screen on windows or keep them closed if you have cats. During the summer, the number of cats suffering from "high rise" syndrome, or falling from windows, increases dramatically. The most severe injuries occur when cats fall from second or third floor windows.
** Guard the pool -- If you have a pool, don't leave your dog unattended in the pool area. Not all dogs can swim and can drown if they fall into the water.
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