Staying Safe this Summer
We all know that summer in central Ohio is not to be taken lightly. Our seasons come with force and while there are always many pleasant days, there are dreadful days as well. Keeping yourself cool and hydrated in the summer is as easy as coming in from the heat to pour yourself a glass of water in your air-conditioned kitchen—but your pets don’t have it quite so easy. Not only can they not sweat like we can, they don’t know what is best for them. Therefore, it is up to you to recognize their needs and attend to them.
Summer Pet Safety Tips
To help you along the way, we’ve devised some key points for assuring your pet is in optimal health all summer long.
- NEVER leave your pet in a parked vehicle. No matter how quick you think you’ll be, the car can heat up all too fast, even on a seemingly mild day. Don’t risk it. Take your pet out with you or keep them at home.
- Take your dogs on walks earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hotter times of day.
- Keep them off hot pavement. The hot ground can not only burn their paws, but the heat radiating from it can also raise their body temperature significantly.
- Stay up-to-date with parasite prevention and vaccinations. No one flourishes in the summer heat quite like bacteria and parasites. Keeping your pet’s preventive care up will help keep them safe this summer.
Water Safety
While it may seem that all dogs certainly must be able to swim, that’s not the case. Barrel-chested breeds such as bulldogs are not built for swimming and struggle in the water. Meanwhile, breeds that can swim get tired and can drown from exhaustion. If your pet is enjoying the water with you, keep a close eye on them, and consider getting a lifejacket to help keep them afloat.
Severe Weather Safety
Severe weather in central Ohio typically means heavy thunderstorms or tornadoes. Your pet is privy to the same dangers these storms pose as you. If a storm is coming, be sure to bring your pet inside well before it hits. In the case that you need to take shelter, you’ll need to take your pet with you. Make sure your shelter is free of poisons, or other hazardous materials for your pet. It’s also a good idea to practice taking your pet into the shelter space ahead of time so they can be familiar with the space. Additionally, proper ID on your pet’s collar helps if they do get lost, so they can more easily be returned to you.
If you have any questions on summer pet safety, don’t hesitate to ask! Contact us today at (614) 836-3222.
