HEALTH & WELLNESS
Prepare Your Pet
for Summer
WITH INCREASED DANGERS LIKE INFECTIOUS BUGS, POISONOUS PLANTS AND MORE
TIME AROUND WATER, PLUS THE THREAT OF HEAT ITSELF, SUMMER IS AN IMPORTANT
TIME TO MAKE SURE YOUR PETS ARE READY. START WITH A FEW SIMPLE TIPS THAT
CAN HELP ENSURE SAFETY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS.
pets, making access to a clean water bowl inside and outside critical
during summertime. While you’re on the go, be sure to bring water for
your pet in a suitable drinking container.
Protect against bugs. Ticks and other pesky bugs can cause
headaches when the weather warms and you and your furry friends
spend more time outside. Help keep those bugs away with preventive
treatments, and be sure to check your pets closely for ticks after you’ve
spent time outdoors.
Groom regularly. One of the best ways to keep a dog’s coat healthy
and help prevent matting and summertime skin irritation is regular
grooming. The right grooming tool can dramatically reduce shedding
by removing the undercoat and loose hair without sacrificing the
healthy top coat.
Provide skin protection. Just like humans, dogs can experience
sunburn and even skin cancer. To prevent sunburn, apply a sunscreen
where hair is thin and skin lacks pigment (nose, ears and sensitive areas)
every time your dog is outside.
Clean the yard. Before letting dogs, cats or other pets out into the
yard to play, check for hazards that can be removed or prevented.
Search the yard for poisonous plants, ensure that fences are sturdy and
whole, watch the area for possible predators if you own smaller pets,
and monitor your pet’s outdoor activity.
Check screens. When the temperature is just right, many people love
to throw open doors and windows to allow fresh air to rush through
screen doors. However, those screens should be checked to ensure that
pets can’t push them out or squeeze through a small hole.
Add ID. Whether your pets play outside often or not, it’s a smart
investment to add an identification tag to their collars. If they were
to ever make a dash for an open gate or find a way outside without
attention, an ID can help significantly increase the chances they are
returned home safely.
Teach them to swim. Many people increase their time around water
during the summer, whether it’s a neighborhood pool, a local pond
or a lake. If you plan to bring along a pet, make sure that he or she is
comfortable around water and able to swim before partaking in an
activity that could potentially frighten your pet.
Make a vacation checklist. Before hitting the road for a fun family
getaway, add important pet items to your checklist. Remember that
while on a trip, your pet will need food and water, of course, but also
may require specific bedding, toys, treats and more.
Summer can provide a great opportunity to spend ample time bonding with pets, but preparing in advance for some of the pitfalls of all of the excitement can
ensure that your pet enjoys it just as much as you do. Find more tips and tricks for pet owners at elivingtoday.com.
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Keep them hydrated. Dehydration and heatstroke can be fatal to