Showing posts with label summertime and pets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summertime and pets. Show all posts
Friday, June 8, 2012
Safety Tips For Your Pets During The Summer
Although the summer hasn't officially started, the warm weather has begun and the pools and beaches are open for your pleasure. Just as important as it is to keep yourself and children safe this summer, the same goes for your pets. Here are some helpful tips to help your pets stay healthy and safe this summer.
Make sure to have sunscreen handy to put on your pets. Like humans, pets can sometimes get sunburn on their bodies if they have light hair or a thin coat. Look to apply a fragrance free, non-staining, UVA and UVB barrier sunscreen or a special sunscreen made for pets so that it can help prevent your pet from being burned.
Make sure to have your pets stay in the shade and provide them with plenty of water. Pets also enjoy the warm weather and may become dehydrated after extended play outside. Providing plenty of fresh water to your pets can help prevent your dog or cat from being dehydrated.
Do not leave your pets in the car. Just as with children, leaving a pet in the car for even a few minutes can cause it to have heat stroke. Even on a 70-degree day, a car in direct sunlight can heat up to 100 degrees within minutes (http://goo.gl/QMSOK).
Keep an eye on where your pets tend to roam. Many people use fertilizers and pesticides on their lawns in the summertime, which can be poisonous to cats and dogs. When clients walk their pets, they should avoid grassy areas that have been treated and take them to an area where they can run around and play.
Last but not least, make sure to keep your pets away from antifreeze. Antifreeze is poisonous to dogs and cats, but many pets are attracted to its scent and taste. When walking dogs, be alert to any spills, leaks, or containers of antifreeze that pets can accidentally ingest.
If you have any other concerns about your pet and the hot summer sun, please give us a call at one of the Bregman Vet Hospitals. We are here to help you and your pet in any way possible!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Make A Plan When Traveling With Animals
With the summer coming, there will be vacation time, And people love to bring their families, including their pets. There are a number of things that people can do with their pets to make sure that when they travel, they are comfortable and more importantly, safe.
If you do not have your pet in the car when driving, take a test drive with them. Some pets may get motion sickness and bad anxiety when riding in a car. Dogs like to stick their heads out the window to feel that breeze, but cats are better off being securely placed in a pet carrier. If your pet isn't comfortable, contact one of the Bregman Vet doctors and they can help you with making sure your pet is calm.
Also, try not to feed your pet a big meal before a long trip. Doing that with people sometimes works as it makes them full and sleepy. But with pets, it doesn't always work that way. Let them eat a little before you leave and save the food for the end of the trip. They will be looking forward to eating, especially after being couped up in a car for hours.
Like children, pets need to go to the bathroom. Make sure that when you stop to go to the bathroom, that you take your pet out as well. You don't need accidents to happen in your car because it could be unpleasant for the rest of the passengers.
Some families don't like the long drives, so they decide to fly to their destination. When it comes to air travel, check with the airlines about their requirements when it comes to pets. Airlines typically require a certificate from the veterinarian that the pet is healthy and is up to date on vaccinations (http://goo.gl/auCPD).
Finally, if your pet needs medications, bring enough to last a few days just in case you get caught in an extended stay situation. If you think you may run out before you are due to return home, get your pets medication refilled before you leave.
Have questions about traveling with pets? Call us at one of the Bregman Vet Hospitals as we are here to help!
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