Summertime Safety

d​We understand that all the information available online about your animals can be overwhelming. Below, our doctors have compiled various educational tools to better explain your pet’s condition and some friendly, helpful safety tips.

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Keep Pets Safe in the Heat

The summer months are not only uncomfortable for your pets, but can also be very dangerous. We can help you to keep your pets cool and safe this summer with our summer safety tips below:
Never leave your pet in a parked car.
Do not leave your pet in a car, not even for a minute, even if the car is running and the air conditioner is on. On a warm day, the temperature inside a car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Pets left in cars on warm days may suffer irreversible organ damage and/or possible death.
Limit exercise on hot days.
Be sure to adjust the intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the outside temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or later evening hours. Remember asphalt gets very hot and could potentially burn your pet’s paws, so exercise on the grass whenever possible. Always keep water with you for your pet to keep your dog from dehydrating.
Always provide ample shade and water.
Anytime your pet is outdoors during the hot summer months, make sure he or she is protected from heat and sun by providing shade and plenty of fresh, cold water. Remember a doghouse does not provide relief from the heat, it in fact makes it worse.

Summertime Pet Scares

Helping our furry friends cope with the Sounds of Summer is of great concern to most pet owners. Booming thunderstorms and intense fireworks can be an extremely traumatic event for many pets. Dogs with storm/fireworks phobias may exhibit a variety of behaviors, such as:

• Hiding under furniture or in small places
• Intense barking, whining or howling
• Pacing, drooling, trembling
• Destructive behavior, chewing or scratching
• Attempts to escape the house
• Aggression

These are just a few of the many signs you may see from your pet. When the fear hits, it is important to try and distract your pet. You can distract your dog by starting a training session utilizing treats, playing a favorite game, anything positive to distract the dog and setting the tone by acting unconcerned. It is most important to be gentle, calm and patient with your pet. Do not soothe (poor baby, come get a hug) or punish your pet. Trying to soothe your pet, is an action that actually rewards the behavior. Dogs who have a negative reaction to these events are not being disobedient, they are truly in a state of panic and are looking for help. If your dog is afraid of these types of loud noises, please speak with one of our veterinarians, so they may make individual, specific recommendations for your pet.