Summer Risks to your Pet

You probably spend time on the safety of yourselves and your family. However do not forget your animals. This is a key element of pet care. Summer is especially difficult and different for your pet. The two main things to pay attention to are the results of warmer weather and holidays.

Lets start with the results of the heat on the animal. Just like us – they will want more water, keep it accessible 24 / 7. If you regularly go dog walking ensure they have the opportunity to have water, every hour or so, or even more often if you are of the energetic type.

You would be justifiably locked up for leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is astounding and a shame the number of people who do this to their pets. This can kill an animal, temperatures in the sun, can quickly rise to more than 100 degrees. Leaving the window slightly ajar, is next to useless.

Just like ourselves, with no change to activity level, you need fewer calories to preserve your weight in the summer. If you, or your pet, keep eating the same, you without doubt will increase your weight. Pet obesity is becoming more of an issue. Putting on weight during summer, is likely to slow the pet down in winter and you get a vicious circle, so consider reducing the intake of food, or as a minimum, monitor your animals weight.

Warning with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most quickly go off as its temperature approaches blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the pet does not eat moist food within thirty minutes, remove it. Dry food is very safe, as long as it does not become moist. So if you have a slobbery animal, often and little should be the principle. Watch out for condensation, or drips from the air conditioner.

Whilst exercising the dog during the hot weather, you may have done it for the last six months without a problem, however, he may suddenly want to jump into some water, with you if you are holding onto the lead. Perhaps more risky is the jump into a river, if he is not on a lead. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, you can often see people being hauled in! Not helped by dogs wanting to say hi to the ducks. In summer there is often more wildlife around for them to chase, so be watchful and controlling.

Summer, is often the time of the long vacation. So if you must choose a pet sitter, choose a professional business such as London Pet Sitting, who vet and train their pet sitters. A good pet sitter, will even check out all the dangers as part of their contract. Pet Sitting is often the wisest option for the pet, they would rather be in their house. If not, and you must board them, check the kennels out. Ideally a personal commendation, as always there can be great and not so good. The animal may not like it, but they are secure.

You may be wanting to take your animal on vacation with the family. This is the most dangerous option for an animal. Prepare and plan well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the car is risky for us as well. Certainly consider using a pet restraint, you wear one, for good reason, so buy one, if you don’t have one for your pet. The risk of dehydration, so stop for water stops for you and your pet every hour, perhaps a bit longer if you have the clime on. Be particularly careful during the stops, there are often cars moving about, and the pet may want to take a runner (you might as well).

When you arrive you will be in a new location. So do a thorough review for any risks to your pet. The greatest one is running away, especially in motels, straight out onto a busy highway and cars. Do not forget that digestion of fruit and particularly {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep an eye on them.

Pets, will struggle to get back to your hotel, if lost, its not as likely as if they were at home – and the neighbours know them. This is not the case on vacation. Ensure you have good name / phone tags and keep them on a leash.

I wish you and your animals have a happy, event free holiday.

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