Top Tips to Protect your Pet During the Summer

You almost certainly spend time on the safety of your family. However do not forget your pets. This is a key part of pet care. Summer is especially difficult and dangerous for your animal. The two main things to pay attention to are the effects of warmer weather and vacations.

 

Lets get going with the effect of the hot weather on the animal. They are like us – they will want more water, keep it available at all times. If you regularly go dog walking ensure they have the ability to have water, every hour 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 astounding and a shame the number of people who do this to their animals. This can kill an animal, temperatures in the sun, can swiftly rise to more than 100 degrees. Putting the window slightly ajar, is next to useless.

 

Pets are similar to ourselves, with the same amount of activity, you need less food to preserve your weight during summer. If you, or your pet, keep consuming the same, you certainly will increase your weight. Pet obesity is increasing everywhere. Increasing weight during summer, will slow the pet down in winter and you get a vicious circle, so consider reducing the food, or as a minimum, keep an eye on your pets weight.

 

Danger with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most rapidly go off as its temperature approaches blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the pet does not eat wet food within half an hour, through it away. Dry food is perfectly safe, if does not become moist. So if you have a slobbery pet, often and little should be the rule. Also be careful about condensation, or drips from the air conditioner.

 

Whilst walking the dog during the hot weather, you may have done it for the last six months without a problem, however, he may suddenly want to jump into some water, with company – you if you are holding onto the lead. Perhaps more risky is the leap into a river, if he is not on a leash. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, you can often see people being pulled in! Not helped by them wanting to say hi to the ducks. In summer there are often more animals around for them to chase, so be watchful and controlling.

 

Summer, is often the time of the great holiday. So if you are having to choose a pet sitter, choose a professional business such as London Pet Sitting, who vet and train their pet sitters. A good pet sitter, will even check out all the dangers as part of their agreement. Pet Sitting is often the wisest option for the pet, they prefer to be in their house. If not, and you have to board them, check the kennels out. Ideally a personal recommendation, as in everything there can be good and not so good. The animal may not like it, but they are safe.

 

You may be wanting to take your pet on holiday with the family. Without doubt the most dangerous choice for an animal. Plan and prepare well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the automobile is dangerous for ourselves as well. Think about using a pet restraint, you use one, for good reason, so buy one, if you don’t have one for your pet. The danger of dehydration, so stop for water stops for you and your pet every hour, perhaps a bit longer if you have air conditioning – on. Be very careful on the stops, there are often cars moving about, 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 check it out thoroughly for any dangers to your animal. The biggest one is running away, especially in motels, rooms opening out onto a main highway and cars. Do not forget that digestion of fruit and particularly {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep an eye on them.

 

Pets, will struggle to get back to your motel, if lost, its not as likely as if they were at home – and the neighbours know them. This is not the case on vacation. Make sure you have solid and visible name / phone tags and keep them on a leash.

 

I wish you and your pets have a happy, problem free holiday.