- Overheating (heat prostration) can kill an animal.
Never leave an animal alone in a vehicle, even with the windows open,
a parked car, truck, or van can quickly become a furnace. Parking in
shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day. When
traveling, carry a gallon thermos filled with fresh, cold water.
- Don't force your animal to exercise after a meal
in hot, humid weather. Always exercise him/her in the cool of the early
morning or evening.
- In extremely hot weather, don't leave your dog
standing on the street, and keep walks to a minimum. He is much closer
to the hot asphalt and his body can heat up quickly. His paws can burn
since they are not protected by shoes
- Never take an animal to the beach unless you can
provide a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for it to drink. Rinse
your pet off after it has been in salt water.
- Always provide plenty of shade for an animal staying
outside the house. A properly constructed dog house serves the best.
Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day and let her
rest in the cool part of your home. Always provide plenty cool, clean
water for your animal.
- Please be sensitive to old and overweight animals
in hot weather. Brach Cephalic (snub-nosed) dogs (especially bulldogs,
Pekingese, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus) and those with
heart or lung diseases should be kept indoors in air-conditioning as
much as possible.
- Keep a current license and identification tag
on your dog or cat and consider tattooing or micro chipping as a means
of permanent identification.
- Avoid walking your dog in areas that you suspect
have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals, as poisonings
increase during the summer when gardens, lawns and trees are sprayed.
These chemicals can sicken or kill an animal. Call your veterinarian
or The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA/NPACC) if
you suspect your animal has been poisoned.
- Be alert for coolant leaking from your vehicle.
Animals are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant and ingesting just
a small amount can cause an animal's death. Consider using animal friendly
products that use propylene glycol rather than those containing ethylene
glycol.
- A clean coat can help to prevent summer skin problems,
so keep your dog or cat well groomed. If he has a heavy coat, shaving
your dog's hair to a one-inch length will help prevent overheating.
Don't shave a dog's hair down to the skin; this robs him of protection
from the sun. A cat should be brushed frequently to keep his coat tangle-free.
- Take your companion animal to the veterinarian
for a spring or early summer checkup, including a test for heartworm
if your dog isn't on year-round preventative medication. Have the doctor
recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.
- Never tie an animal outside on a correction collar.
He can choke to death. If you must tether him, use a buckle collar with
identification tags instead. (This applies in any season)
- Never let your animal run loose. This is how an
animal can contact a fatal disease, including rabies, or be injured,
killed or stolen. Be sure there are no open, unscreened windows or doors
through which an animal can fall or jump.
|