You in all probability spend time on the safety of your family. However do not forget your animals. This is a key element of pet care. Summer is especially difficult and dangerous for your pet. The two main things to watch for are the results of warmer weather and vacations.
Lets get going with the effect of the heat on the pet. They are like us – they will want more water, make it accessible 24 / 7. If you are a regular dog walker ensure they have the access to have water, every sixty minutes or so, or even more often if you are of the active type.
You would be justifiably locked up for leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is surprising and a disgrace the amount of people who do this to their pets. This can kill a pet, temperatures in the sun, can swiftly rise to more than 100 degrees. Putting the window slightly ajar, does not help that much.
Just like ourselves, with no change to activity level, you need less food to preserve your weight during summer. If you, or your animal, keep consuming the same, you certainly will put on weight. Pet obesity is becoming more of an issue. Increasing weight during summer, may slow the pet down in winter and this can then lead to more weight gain, so consider reducing the intake of food, or as a minimum, monitor your animals weight.
Danger with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most quickly go off as its temperature approaches blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the animal does not eat moist food within thirty minutes, through it away. Dry food is very safe, if does not become moist. So if you have a slobbery pet, often and little should be the principle. Watch out for condensation, or drops of water from the air conditioner.
Whilst exercising the dog during the hot weather, this may not have caused problems, watch out, he may suddenly want to leap into some water, with company – you if you do not let go of the lead. Even more risky is the leap into a canal, if he is not on a lead. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, you can often see people being hauled in! Not helped by dogs wanting to say hi to the ducks. In summer there is often more wildlife around for them to chase, so be even more careful.
Summer, is often the time of the great vacation. So if you must find a pet sitter, choose a professional pet sitter, who will even check out all the risks as part of their contract. Pet Sitting is often the wisest option for the pet, they prefer to be in their house. If not, and you must put them in kennels, check the kennels out. Ideally a personal commendation, as always there can be good and poor. The animal may not like it, but they are secure.
You may be wanting to take your pet on vacation with the family. Without doubt the most dangerous option for an animal. Plan and prepare well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the automobile is risky for us as well. Certainly consider using a pet restraint, you wear one, for good reason, so ensure your pet has one. The problem of dehydration, so plan for water stops for you and your pet every sixty minutes, perhaps a bit longer if you have air conditioning – on. Be very careful during the stops, look out for traffic movement, and the pet may want to take a run for it (you might as well).
When you arrive you will be in a strange location. So do a thorough review for any dangers to your pet. The biggest one is running away, especially in motels, straight out onto a busy highway and cars. Do not forget that digestion of fruit and especially {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep an eye on them.
Pets, will find it difficult to find their way back to your motel, if lost, we all know of good cases and happy endings when pets get lost near their normal home. This is not the case in a strange place. Make sure you have solid and visible name / phone tags and keep them on a lead.
I wish you and your pets have a happy, event free holiday.
Thanks!