As the dog days of summer approach, canine and feline companions also need special attention to insure that they don't get burned or dehydrated and enjoy the summer too.

Keep pets indoors, in air conditioning, if at all possible on very hot days.

If your pet remains outside, make sure they have plenty of shade to relax in and good air circulation. Keep fresh water available at all times.

Exercise dogs early in the morning or late in the evening, or indoors in an air-conditioned environment if possible.

If your pet enjoys water, provide a sprinkler or wading pool on very warm days. Spray water on the dog and place it in a breeze or beside a fan. However, if heat exhaustion or heat stroke has set in, take more aggressive measures to cool the dog.

If you take your dog to a lake, make sure it is allowed time to drink plenty of water. Most dogs can drink lake water without adverse effects. If the dog has a light coat or exposed skin, again be careful of sunburn. Some pets like to swim and this is usually OK. The water will help to keep them cool.

Most dogs can acclimate to warm climate and have no trouble staying outdoors in the heat. However, dogs that are used to cool climate or air conditioning should not be placed outside on warm days. Gradual acclimation is the key. Dogs with flat faces such as pugs and bulldogs are especially susceptible to heat stroke and should probably not be left outside.

People usually prepare themselves for the dangers of increased temperatures. People naturally regulate their body temperature by sweating. Dogs mainly cool themselves by panting. However, just like people, dogs can become overheated. Experts say that a dog's normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it rises to 105 or 106 degrees, the dog is at risk for developing heat exhaustion. If the body temperature rises to 107 degrees, the dog has entered the dangerous zone of heat stroke. With heat stroke, the damage that can be done is irreversible. Organs start to shut down. You need to call us immediately if you even suspect it.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during hot weather. Even with the windows down, temperatures inside a car can quickly rise to above 120 degrees. If the car is left running, your pet could die from breathing in carbon monoxide. Also, pets are often stolen from unattended vehicles.

Summer brings everyone outdoors; Barbecuing; playing sports; fixing cars, etc. BEWARE of coolants, antifreeze, and radiator fluid. Even in very tiny doses these are lethal poisons for dogs and cats. Because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. To prevent accidental poisoning, more and more people are using animal-friendly products that contain propylene glycol rather than traditional products that contain ethylene glycol. Call us immediately if you suspect your animal has been exposed to these products.

Preparing your lawn for spring and summer often involves fertilizing the grass, but are those chemicals safe for your pets? Most chemicals are harmless if they are applied according to label directions, make sure you do. Please read the directions and water thoroughly and allow drying as directed.

Pet owners across the world are itching to know how to get rid of fleas. Many have found getting rid of the pests is easier said than done. We can help you rid you and your pets from that flea problem and enjoy your summer! Frontline and Revolution are superb products we recommend and are currently on "special offers."

Pets are wonderful companions. Many pet owners like to keep their pets with them even during vacation. However, some pets just do not travel well. Call us for your boarding needs, and relax.... They're as good as "home" with us, or consider a pet sitter and keep your pet at home. As a pet owner, you should ask yourself if the pet would be better off not traveling to a strange place, especially long distances.

Dogs with long or thick coats that have problems with matted hair are often good candidates for clipping. Owners that do not have time to adequately remove mats and debris from their dog's coat may prefer to clip the coat short. Matted hair can cause skin irritation and is undesirable. Not all dogs have to be shaved because the hair coat can also keep the dog cool by trapping cool air next to the animals' skin and reducing the amount of heat transferred from the environment. All need to be kept clean and combed.

It's Breeding season...Spaying or neutering pets is a common procedure and most pet owners have probably had some experience with having the procedure done on animals they have owned. But most people may not know that there are medical advantages to spaying or neutering pets. The direct health benefits of spaying or neutering are significant for the pet. If female pets are spayed before their first heat cycle, the risk of developing mammary tumor (breast cancer) is significantly reduced. Spaying female pets eliminates the risk of pyometra, an infection of the uterus. This disease can be very serious in female pets. Male pets can benefit, too. Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of perianal tumors and prostate disease. Spaying or neutering can help prolong a pet's life in a secondary way as well. When pets are spayed or neutered, their tendencies to roam or fight are greatly lessened. This prevents the pets from getting lost, stolen, hit by cars or contracting a disease. And you can pat yourself on the back for not adding to the problem of pet overpopulation.

Copyright 2001 © Barbara Newton All rights reserved