Dog Health Care - Keeping Your Pets Safe in Spring and Summer
Ah, the late spring and early summer! What a great time to be outdoors, work in your yard, or take the pooch for a long drive or hike! But this time of year also brings severe weather to many parts of the country. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe this time of year.
Depending on where you live, the late spring and early summer can mean breathtaking days, followed by hail, thunderstorms, lightning, and rain. These epic storms pose threats to homes and cars, and also your pets. The most important safety rule for pets is IDENTIFICATION! Always make sure that your pet is wearing a collar and tag with your current contact information on it. Microchips and tattoos are great, but your neighbor on the next block likely cannot detect these things.
Thunderstorms may not seem terribly frightening to us, but to some pets, they can cause severe panic. If your pet is frightened by thunder and lightening, make sure to check the weather forecasts regularly. Keeping your pet indoors in a quiet soothing environment will help. Many pets become lost, or end up at the local animal shelter after crashing thunderstorms have panicked them to the point of escaping the safety of their own backyards. For more drastic weather, such as tornados, having a pet safety/disaster kit is a wise idea. If you live in an area prone to dangerous tornados, keep a pet carrier handy, and stocked with necessary items such as an extra leash and collar, emergency pet food, pet medications, and even bottled water. Make sure your four-legged family is included in your emergency planning.
Warmer weather also brings out the local wildlife. Whether you live in a rural or urban area, many forms of wildlife can pose a threat to your pets. Keeping your pets indoors when you are not home is usually the best safety measure. But this will not work for everyone. So check your fencing, and look for alternatives such as your garage or other covered area that your pets can stay. Some of the wildlife can also carry contagious diseases, including rabies and distemper, so make sure your pet is up-to-date on all of its vaccinations.
Many people begin landscaping projects as the weather begins to warm. Unfortunately this also means that there can be many opportunities for dogs to escape through gates accidentally left open, or by digging their way out through newly tilled earth. Make sure that you keep your pet safely secured inside your yard or home. Check on the whereabouts of your pet frequently during such projects. Check the labels on your lawn and gardening products. Make sure anything your pet may come in contact with is safe. Insecticides are of particular concern, so if you apply anything to keep the bugs away read the labels closely. Before planting that new exotic flower, check with your veterinarian for a list of plants that are poisonous. Keep the telephone number for the animal poison control center handy.
If youve finished your gardening, and finally wish to take that well deserved break and go hiking with the dog, consider making yourself a pet first aid kit. Always take into consideration the age and condition of your pet before starting a long hike, or even your morning jog. And finally, watch the temperature. Never leave an animal unattended in your vehicle for any length of time. Even a mild spring day can heat up the inside of a car very quickly. Heat stoke can cause irreparable brain damage. If its that warm outside, just leave your pet at home.
By Kat Burns - And if you want to simple dog care tips to Skyrocket your dog’s health by 134%, click here now!
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