Pets 101: What to do during the summer months for all pets

June 2, 1:13 PMSavannah Pets ExaminerDena Stapleton

1. Water: Always make your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. If they are in the house, caged or outside they still get hot and thirsty. Replenish their water through out the day if they are outside but make sure they have fresh water daily.
2. Cars: Do not leave your pet in the car for any length of time during the day. The heat can climb 20 degrees in a matter of minutes. Read my other article “Summer heat with pets in cars” for more in depth on this one.
3. Heat: The heat tolerance of your pet is not the same as you. Just because you can be in 100 degrees all day does not mean your pet can. If your pet is outdoors then make sure you provide a shaded area and maybe a kiddie pool for a little extra comfort. Signs of heat stroke to be watchful of are severe panting, unsteadiness, deep red tongue and gums, glazed eyes and vomiting. If you see this get your pet into a cooler environment and if needed put into a cool bath and gradually add cooler water, but start at the paws, then feet, then legs and the body. Do not pour cold water on the dogs’ body as it will be too cold for them to handle. Under severe cases get your pet to the veterinary office.
4. Food: Do be careful with pet food in the heat. If you have an outdoor pet or an indoor pet that has their food in direct sunlight, you will need to throw out uneaten food at the end of the day. Food in the heat can harbor bacteria and it can cause stomach issues with your pet.
5. Plants: Edible plants are easier accessible during the summer. Your pets are outside near plants and gardens and venture over to nibble a little. Well here is a few that are very harmful to them; onions, sago palms, tulips, oleanders, hyacinths, azaleas, lilies and amaryllis. Refer to the HSUS page for a more complete list.
6. Toxins: Edible toxins in the home are always accessible but need to be mentioned as well. Some that are most common include chocolate, coffee, nicotine, grapes and raisins.
7. ID Tags: Make sure your pet has their pet ID tags on. Cats are on the prowl in the evenings and always need their pet tags for identification. Dogs are on walks and may break loose from you chasing a cat or bird and need their tags on them. They may get out of the fence during the day when your not home and this way animal control will know who the dog belongs to.
8. Bugs: Bugs, bugs and more bugs. They are a big problem in the summer. Fleas and ticks seem to flock to the heat so make sure you have your pet on some kind of flea and tick prevention. Even if you don’t think you have ticks just remember they can actually live outside and stay in one spot for months at a time until a host walks by to get on. They also carry Lyme disease. Mites are another problem that can affect the ears and skin. Always watch for signs of excessive scratching and pain in the ears. Another bug is the ant. You know to stay away from them but your pet does not. Try to treat the ant mounds and get rid of them to better help your pet.
9. Grooming: Groom them often in the summer. This helps to shed off old hair that can stick within their hair and make it even hotter for them in the heat. Also by grooming them more often you can check for fleas, ticks and mites.
10. Trucks: Warmer weather means more truck rides. Dogs just love to have the wind in their ears and bark at the passer-bys. Well just make sure you know your local laws. Most are requiring you to crate or cage your dog in the bed of a truck and make sure the crate is fastened or secured to the truck. This prohibits the dog from jumping out or being thrown out in an accident. You can also tether your dog to the tie-off rings in the bed of the truck with just enough room to stand or sit but not walk around. This also prevents them from jumping out.
11. Direct light: Direct sunlight can create problems for some indoor pets as well. Fish tanks that are near a window with direct sun can reach higher temperatures than some fish would like. Being in the sun can make smaller tanks reach 95 degrees where most freshwater fish like between 70-80 degrees. Just depends upon the fish. Be very careful to close a curtain for them or move the tank if possible. Sunlight like this also makes the algae grow quicker, so another reason to move it. Keep birds in a shaded area so they do not get hot as well. Birds can take higher temperatures than dogs and cats but no reason they should have too. You need to be careful of the smaller rodents and their cages near the direct sunlight as well.
12. Exercising: If exercising your pet outdoors, make sure you are doing it in the early morning or the late evening. This way your pet does not get too overheated. This is not just for the dogs. Cats can go on a leash as well as ferrets and rabbits too.
13. Rabbits/Ferrets: If you have smaller pets outside like rabbits or ferret then you will need to provide them with something to keep them cool. A fan or even a 2-liter bottle with frozen water wrapped in a towel will be able to keep a rabbit or ferret cool while they lay next to it.
14. Pool: Having a pool can be a great way to cool off your pet. Just be careful to not let your dog have full use to the pool without supervision. You just want to be cautious with in ground pools and large type pools. Kiddie pools are great for when your not home.
15. Sunburn: Sunburns, yes your pets can get them. For the dogs that are always outside with you enduring the heat, they may need sun block. If your dog has a pink nose or light colored they need sun block. They can get sunburned. On Entirely Pets website they show various types of lotions and sprays that are formulated for dogs that won’t harm them. One brand is Doggles Pet Sunscreen which is at a 15spf and can be sprayed on.