Now that hot weather has arrived, it’s important that you keep your dog or cat’s safety in mind. Remember that your beloved pet is wearing a fur coat that they can’t take off! Here, your Wichita, KS vet provides a few simple tips to make sure your pet stays comfortable and safe this summer.
Keep Outdoor Time Short
The easiest way to make sure your pet stays happy and healthy during the summer months is to keep outdoor time to a minimum. If your pet remains outdoors for long periods of time, they’re at an increased risk for dangerous dehydration and deadly heatstroke. On the other hand, when you allow them to relax indoors for most of their day, they’ll stay cool and comfortable.
Provide Fresh Water
As mentioned above, dehydration is a major concern during hot and humid weather. Combat this by providing your pet with a large dish of cool, fresh water to drink from at all times. Water is, of course, essential for just about every bodily function, and one of the big ones is regulating body temperature. Since your pet doesn’t sweat the way you do, using water to help keep the body temperature down is very important.
Check your pet’s dish periodically and refresh or refill it if necessary. On extremely hot days, try adding a few ice cubes for an extra cold boost.
Exercise Smart
Do your best not to exercise your pet outdoors in the middle part of the day, when the sun is beating down overhead and the temperatures are at their peak. Instead, getting Fido out for a quick walk or play session during the morning or evening hours is recommended—that way, temperatures are a bit lower and the sun isn’t as harsh. Plus, hot asphalt surfaces will have cooled off a bit, making it less likely that your pet will singe their sensitive paw pads.
Stay Up to Date on Preventatives
Summer is prime-time for dangerous pests—fleas, ticks, and parasitic worms—to latch on to our animal companions. Don’t let your pet fall victim to these critters. Keep your pet current on their preventative medications to avoid any problems from the start. Most pets do just fine with a heartworm preventative and a flea-and-tick control medicine.
Does your pet need pest-control medicine? Is it time for a checkup? Call your Wichita, KS animal hospital to schedule an appointment.