Preventative Care@3x

Five Summer Safety Tips for Pets

Jun 13, 2016 | All About Animals, Arizona Pet Health


It’s the most dangerous time of years for pets – the Arizona heat can be deadly. Here are our top five tips to help keep your pet safe, cool and healthy this summer:

1/ Never leave your pet in the car. EVER. Some people never learn and pets are the ones who pay the price, which is why this message bears repeating often. Leaving your dog or cat in the car alone – even if it’s just for a few minutes – can result in tragedy. The temperature inside the car rises rapidly to life-threatening levels, so play it safe and leave them at home when you’re running errands.

2/ Protect the paws. The pavement gets hot very quickly, so remember, your pet’s paws can burn. Pick up a set of paw protectors to help keep tender paws safe from the Arizona heat. Remember, concrete holds heat for several hours, so early morning or evening walks are best.

3/ Teach your pet water safety. Don’t assume your dog is a good swimmer or won’t go into the pool. The pool can be just as tempting for pets as it is for humans! If your dog jumps into the pool or falls in while you’re away from home, they might not be able to get out on their own. If you can’t block their access to the pool, take time to work with them in the water. As they swim, use your body and hands to direct them to swim the steps or a shallow area where they can safely get out or wait for help. Plenty of praise and encouragement can help reinforce this safety lesson and one day, it could save their life!

4/ Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water and a shady place to shelter from the sun. Better yet, keep them indoors during the daytime and give them regular supervised potty breaks.

5/ Dogs can sunburn, too. Dogs (and cats) can burn in the sun – especially if they have a light skin and coat, and like people, they can get skin cancer. Ask your vet about a pet safe sunscreen to help protect them from harmful rays.

 

Disclaimer: Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.