During the summer, there are a lot of precautions we take in order to keep our family safe. We load up on sunscreen, make sure to keep hydrated, avoid bug-infested areas, eat healthy, and whatever safety measure that is necessary. We have to remember that our pets are a big part of the family too. The summer heat and drought can be just as harsh, sometimes worse, on them as it is on us. Remembering that they are a valuable part of the family and treating them with the same kid gloves will ensure that your pets can enjoy the summer just as much as the kids! This is for summer pet safety and 6 tips to keep your furry friends safe.
- Keep Them Happy
Our pets; the dogs and the bunnies, like to go for car rides. My baby girl Zoe and her bunny sister Lucy both enjoy a cruise. The summer is not the time to take them though. During the day, in just a few minutes the temperature in a car can skyrocket by 10 to 12 degrees. NEVER leave a pet or child alone in a closed car at any time, day or night. It is practically an oven inside a closed vehicle and when the sun beats down it becomes a death trap. As much as it pains me to say no to my furry friends, it is for their safety that they wait until cooler months to go for a ride.
To keep them happy I just take them for a walk during a cool evening or I take Lucy to check the mail across the street. Just a short outing is enough to keep them happy and satisfied!
- Keep Them Hydrated
As we all know, summer time brings the heat and lots of outdoor play. Our dogs love to play outside with us and the kids have a great time. We have to make sure that we keep plenty of water for them while they are outside with us. We fill a big trough that we keep outside and I use the kid’s old Easter basket buckets for the inside.
I keep one full in my room since all three of the “senior” dogs park it in my room when they aren’t playing or eating. Just like us humans, dogs get dehydrated. So, be sure to keep a source of water available outside and inside all day and through the night as well.
- Keep Them Cool
Dogs and cats, and other pets, are covered in fur and also don’t sweat. They use panting to control their body temperature. They can easily get overheated while playing outdoors.
Make sure they have a shade source when they are playing outdoors. Our dogs love to play in the water and we keep a hose handy and some squirt guns to spray them down intermittently to keep them cool, plus they have a ton of fun chasing the water.
We have ducks in our back yard as well and we have to be sure they have shade and their pools are full. They can’t fly away to find shelter if they are safe from the heat, so we make sure they have hade and cool place to spend their days.
- Keep Them Healthy
During the “dog days” of summer, pets need a healthy diet. One danger we have to keep an eye out for is at BBQ’s. Some pets get leftovers as a treat, but we have to be sure that it is safe for them to eat.
Another danger is that they don’t eat any spoiled meat, egg, or dairy foods that may have been left in the heat. The easiest way to prevent them from getting sick is to not allow them any other meals aside from their normal doggy diet or kitty kibble.
- Keep Them Safe
Outdoor activities are a huge part of summer and our pets love to join in on the fun. When you take them to the park, river, lake, or whatever outdoor destination, be sure to keep them on a lead or in their kennel.
They could get lost in the wilderness and unable to find their way home. Some pets may not be water aware and may drown. Also, there are a lot of vehicles and large SUVs driving around that are unable to see small pets in the road. So, if a pet isn’t on a lead or a leash, they could wander into a busy road or highway and disaster could strike. Keep them safe and on a leash and within eye view at all times. Accidents can happen so it’s always good to keep your pet insured.
There is too the rare occurrence that a dog could be approached by someone they don’t know and possibly react by biting or growling. That is a very unsafe scenario for everyone involved, so know your pet’s temperament and keep strangers at a distance if your pet isn’t used to crowds.
- Keep Them Bug Free
First things first, we have to be sure our pals are getting regular baths and dog grooming appointments as needed. My girl Zoe loves hers baths and she adores her dog groomer, so she is an easy customer.
The rest of my furry, clawed, shelled, finned, and long eared crew aren’t quite as docile when it comes to getting clean. Lucy, my bunny handles a cloth bath pretty well, Piper, my Lab, has to just grin and bear it, but I let her run a muck after to make up for it. I have the two turtles who go bonkers when I clean their tank, as well as the fish.
So, though it takes a bit more effort, it is essential we keep our pets clean to avoid dirtying up he house AND to keep them from getting sick. We know that with dirt comes bugs, right?
The summer months are breeding season for fleas, ticks, and all sorts of pests. Our poor little furry friend’s coats are prime living space for those nasty bugs. The pests are found in damp, moist, shady places much like those grassy spots in the park under the tree or on the side of the rivers. Be sure to do a flea and tick check often and give them a medicated shampooing atleast once or twice a month.
Another way that proves to be most effective is to use Hartz Ultra Guard Plus Flea and Tick Medicated Treatment. The medication comes in different doses for cats and dogs and is based on the weight of the pets. With all our animals, Hartz sent us all the different dosage amounts for cats and dogs so each one of our four-legged family friends were taken care of.
Hartz Ultra Guard Plus is a great treatment to get rid of fleas and ticks and protects animals for a month. It sarts killing those nasty pests in just 15 minutes of applying it to the animal’s coat. Luckily it doesn’t have a nasty odor and it is super easy to apply. If you have a nervous and antsy pup or kitten, don’t fret because Hartz Ultra Guard Plus just squirts on in just one swipe and then let it dry. Now they are safe from pests for the month and you can reapply every 4 weeks or so.
It’s a great time to get outside with your furry friends and to enjoy the warm weather. There is no reason that we shouldn’t have a great summer and our furry friends too. These tips are a lot of common sense and easy ways to be sure our little friends are healthy, happy, and safe, just like the rest of our family. Save some money with these coupons for Hartz Ultra Guard Plus too! Let’s get up, get going, and get outside for an awesome summer. It’s coming close to the end, so better hurry !!
