If you are anything like the team at Oroville Animal Health Center, you are probably ready to get out there having fun in the warm California sun as summer officially begins. This beautiful part of the year is no time to slack on pet care, though. Take some time to review summer pet safety and make sure that your animals are prepared for the season.
Summer Pet Safety Concerns
Half the battle when it comes to keeping your pet safe and healthy is knowing what risks and dangers exist. When out and about this summer, consider:
- Overheating
- Dehydration
- Hot surfaces
- Skin irritation from dirty water, etc.
- Algae
- Sunburn
- Bug bites and fleas
- Infectious diseases
- Rattlesnakes
- Ingestion of harmful or toxic foods or objects
- Yard chemicals
- Fights with other pets or wild animals
- Swimming unattended
- Traffic hazards
- Thunderstorm and firework anxiety
There are definitely pet safety concerns around during every season, but it certainly seems like things intensify with the heat.
Be Prepared
Thankfully, there are a lot of steps that you can take towards protecting your pet for summer. Take some proactive steps by:
- Catching up on care—If your pet is overdue on wellness care, now is the time to contact us. Be sure that your pet is protected against heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas, and infectious diseases such as parvovirus. Being sure that your pet is microchipped is also a great safety measure.
- Gathering supplies—Having some basic supplies like a pet-first aid kit on-hand is a wise move. It is also smart to organize some basic contacts such as emergency veterinary services, animal poison control, and your favorite pet sitter. Be sure that you also have plenty of anti-anxiety medications for those summer storms if your pet needs them.
- Train, train, train—Basic training can be a huge help. Well-trained dogs are more likely to “leave it” when instructed during a wild animal or snake encounter. A pet that follows directions is less likely to find themselves in trouble.
- Brushing up on some reading—Educate yourself on pet dangers and how to protect your pet from the heat, recognize dehydration, and call out poisonous plants like Sago Palms.
Summer is one of the most fun times to be a pet owner, but it can also be a dicey time. Summer pet safety is an important topic of education, and our knowledgeable staff is more than happy to help you prevent problems wherever we can.