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Professional Pet Care Services for Western PA and the Surrounding Areas Since 1960

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How to protect you pets in the summer

BEWARE: Summer can be a dangerous time for your pet, BE PREPARED!

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Be prepared for Heat Stress!

Be aware of the signs of heat stress. If your pet shows any of these signs, call your vet immediately and take him to the office or emergency clinic:

  • Heavy Panting
  • Unsteadiness
  • Staggering and Walking in Circles
  • Vomiting

Here are some things you can do immediately to cool him down.

  • Place your pet in a cool, not ice-cold bathtub.
  • Use a hose and wet your pet down, then let the water run under his belly, especially between his front and back legs. This will help cool him faster.
  • Apply ice packs only to head, neck, and chest.

Be on the lookout for TICKS & FLEAS every day!

Be aware of ticks and fleas!

  • Ticks carry several serious diseases, including Lyme disease, but symptoms are often hard to spot. Dogs may be tired, feverish, or lame before you are aware of the illnesses.
  • Fleas quite often carry tape worms, which cause intestinal issues and other problems as they ride along in your pet’s gut.
  • All pets should be checked daily for these pests especially if your pet has a heavy thick coat, plays in the woods or deep grass or is frequently in areas where there is wildlife or lots of other pets.
  • Preventative solutions consist of flea & tick collars, injections, and skin applications- Talk to your vet for the best preventative for your individual pet
  • Some pets are extremely sensitive to flea bites and cause sores on themselves from attempting to scratch or chew, if you see your dog scratching – find the cause!

BE your pet’s lifeguard when near Pools, Streams, Beaches, or any kind of water.

Did you know that pets get sunburned? How about the fact that unclean water can cause skin problems?

  • Use a life jacket on your dog if they are out on a boat or dock with you. “Dog overboard” is not uncommon and becomes very dangerous to your dog if they panic and swim towards the motor or out of reach.
  • Many breeds of dogs are not designed to swim, nor have the stamina to swim, so do not force a dog into water deep enough that they must swim.
  • If your dog does enjoy swimming, use precautions to keep them from overdoing it or swallowing too much water. Dogs can drown hours later from swallowing water while they are playing in the water.
  • Rinse your dog off with clean water as soon as possible when they are done playing in salt water, lake waters, streams, and chlorinated pools- to avoid skin problems.
  • Give your dog a safer alternative for water fun, use a small kiddy pool, use clean tap water, and only enough water for them to splash around, or lay down and cool off.
  • Pets get sunburned, protect noses, light colored skin, or closely clipped pets.

BE your pet’s guardian angel- Save car rides and long hikes for cooler weather.

It’s hot, so cool down. Make sure the conditions outside are safe for your pet. 

  • Never leave your pet in your car during summer months, it only takes a few minutes for your pet to overheat and die
  • It is now against the law- for good reason, to leave your dog in a closed car and you may return and find your windows smashed as someone tried to rescue your pet.
  • Many dogs are stolen from unattended vehicles- do not let your dog be on a missing dog poster. The fate of a stolen dog rarely has a happy ending for the dog.
  • Dogs should know how to ride in a car but unless you are on a dog training mission, with “NO” stops, wait for cooler conditions. Don’t let him put his head out the window.
  • Check the temperature of sidewalks and blacktop with your hand. If you would not walk bare foot on it, do not ask your pet to do so.

BE aware of dangerous encounters.

  • Many snakes are harmless and serve a useful purpose of rodent control, but a snake's bite causes infections and swelling for dogs. Protect your pet (and the rest of your family) by keeping your yard tidy, do not give snakes hiding spots near your dog’s play area.
  • If your dog is inclined to chase wild animals, get him or her into the house until the animal leaves, especially if it is a bear, bob cat or coyote or deer, who can attack or lead them on a long chase, till they are lost.
  • Be very cautious of wildlife that is not following its normal behaviors, for example foxes or racoons - rabid animals can attack with no provocation.
  • If there are hawks or eagles in the area, Keep cats and small dogs under constant supervision. Staying with them on a leash is the safest way to protect them.
  • Bee stings and other bites can cause an allergic reaction and lots of pain for your pet.
  • Check your yard at night, skunks may be out. If your dog does get sprayed DO NOT get them wet. Use peroxide, Dawn dish soap and baking soda mixture and let it set.

BE your pet’s food monitor and protector

  • Dog’s love picnics, they like to socialize but they mostly want the food! Both what they find or what soft hearted “friends” will give them.
  • Many picnic foods, such as grapes, onions, garlic, and raisins, sugar free peanut butter can be toxic to dogs if consumed in large quantities and should be eliminated from the menu or dog must be closely monitored. Grapes and raisins are safe for cats but keep onions and garlic away.
  • Talk to any guests, especially kids, before summer parties. Remind them if your pet has a special diet, is allergic to anything or if there are any foods on the table that could cause a health problem.
  • Make sure your dog is not given meat with bones or barbeque sauce, Corn on the cob, fruits with seeds or pits, chocolate, ice cream, food on skewers or toothpicks.
  • If your picnic or reunion entails fireworks remove your pet from the area to a quiet safe place, where the noise and lights can be muffled. A crate with a blanket covering it in a quiet place in your home is best. Play music or TV to drown out the fireworks noise and something to distract them such as a frozen Kong toy.

BE PREPARED, provide protection for your pets by sharing this list with your family, and have a safe, happy summer with your pets! We hope to see you and your pets soon!

Connie Winters - Pres.

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