7 Ways to Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy This Summer ...

One of the most important ways to keep your pets happy and safe this summer is to make sure you never leave them in a parked car. According to the Humane Society, a car that is 85 degrees inside can become 102 in ten minutes. Leaving your pets in a hot car can be very dangerous because they can get heat stroke and even die. To keep your pets safe, leave them at home in a cool air conditioned house when you are out running errands.

If you are planning on taking your pet out, whether it is for a long walk or a trip, bring water with you for your pet. Whenever my dog came on trips with me, I always brought a Tupperware container with water in it. Giving your pets water will hydrate them and keep them cool.

Speaking of water, pets love ice cubes in the summer. Cats and dogs enjoy licking ice cubes because it cools them down. You can even get creative and make peanut butter popsicles for dogs or freeze their favorite foods. However, if you want to keep it simple, ice cubes are still a great cool treat.

If you are playing with your pets outside, try to stick to shady areas. This will help keep your pet from getting too hot. Staying in the shade if you are having a picnic and have brought your pets along is also a good idea. When you are trying to keep your pets in the shade, remember that open spaces are best. A closed space like a dog house may be shady, but it is also hot.

If you have an air conditioner, be sure to run it whenever your pets are home. While fans can cool things down, they are often not enough for pets. Running the air conditioner will keep them cool and comfortable, and it will keep you cool and comfortable as well.

While keeping your pets cool during the summer is one way to keep them happy and healthy, another way is to make sure you give them flea and tick treatments if they are going to be outside or at the kennels. Fleas and ticks are not only a nuisance, they also carry diseases that you don’t want your pets getting. Be sure to use the flea and tick treatments your vet recommends, and remember to treat them regularly.

While you do want to treat your pets with flea and tick control, you don’t want your pets coming in contact with harsh chemicals. In the summer, people often spray plants with pesticides and treat their lawns with heavy duty weed killers. These chemicals can be dangerous for pets. If you see a sign that a lawn has been treated, keep your pets away from that lawn.

Keeping your pets safe during the summer is important, and, thankfully, it is relatively easy. If you follow these tips you can help make sure your pets stay happy and healthy this summer. What summer safety tips do you have for pets?

humanesociety.org