Pet owners need to keep a watchful eye on pets once the temperature begins to rise.
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Similar to humans, most pets begin to get a little antsy around the beginning of spring. After a winter spent indoors, pets are just as ready as their human companions for some fun in the sun. And just like for people, certain precautionary measures need to be taken to ensure pets can withstand the rising temperatures of spring and summer and avoid a host of other potential problems.
• Beware of lawns: One of the biggest concerns for pet owners, particularly dog owners, during the summer months should be neighboring lawns or even large fields at parks. This is due to the pesticides, fertilizers and insecticides many homeowners use to protect their lawns during warmer months.
Certain plants and flowers, if ingested, can be harmful to pets as well. As the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) points out, more than 700 plants have been identified as producing toxic substances that can be harmful to animals. Some you may even have in your own backyard, such as apple trees (seeds can be detrimental to an animal’s health) and holly shrubs (berries can be poisonous). While it’s impossible for pet owners and their pets to avoid lawns entirely, keep a watchful eye whenever you and your pet are out strolling around the neighborhood.
• Avoid certain temptations: Once the warm weather returns it’s tempting for many pet owners to take their pets along with them on routine errands. Car trips to the post office or supermarket can seem relatively harmless but can turn into a nightmare for your pet. Cars don’t take very long to heat up, even when parked in the shade. On a hot day, it’s common for the temperature inside a car to reach 120°F in a matter of minutes. While pet owners will likely have the air conditioning on while they’re driving, once they get out of the car the A/C is typically turned off, leaving pets to sit in what soon becomes sweltering heat. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion and even brain damage can occur. In general, during summer months it’s best to leave your pet at home while you’re out running errands.
• Protect against heartworm: Over the winter, many pet owners stop giving their pets heartworm medication. Most veterinarians accept this because heartworm is transmitted through mosquitoes, which aren’t present during colder months. But once the weather heats up it’s imperative pets again begin taking heartworm medication. Heartworm is a blood diseases that can be very painful for pets. Once a pet is infected, the heartworm larva can grow and develop into worms, which then live in the blood vessels surrounding the heart and lungs. The adult worms then mate and circulate throughout an animal’s bloodstream.
Because of the relatively low cost of prevention, many veterinarians are surprised at the prevalence of heartworm. While heartworm can be treated once an animal has been infected, such treatment is often very painful for the animal. To avoid this fate, simply begin giving your pet heartworm medication before the start of spring, or continue the medication year-round. Heartworm is most common in dogs, but can infect cats, too.
• Know your pet and what he’s capable of: In general, pet owners should have a feel for how much activity their pet can handle in warmer weather. Short-nosed dogs, dogs with thick coats, and dogs who are getting on in years generally can’t handle as much activity in the summer as they can in other seasons. That’s not to say they don’t still need exercise, but owners should be selective about when these types of pets get their exercise. Early morning or evening hours, when the temperature is at its coolest, is recommended by the HSUS.
• Avoid summer fairs with pets: Heat can be stressful enough for some pets. Add large crowds and a lot of noise, and pets can can begin suffering from anxiety. In general, leave pets at home whenever you attend such gatherings. Midsummer celebrations, such as Fourth of July fireworks, can also cause anxiety in pets and should be avoided.
To learn more about caring for pets in summertime or pet care in general, visit the HSUS Web site at www.hsus.org.
