Tips On Pet Care During Summer

Summer is the time for fun, outdoor activities, swimming, picnics and vacations. And, understandably, people love to share many of their summer activities with their animal companions. Unfortunately, every summer many beloved pets die unnecessarily during extremely hot weather.

HEAT exhaustion is one of the most common ailments of pets during the summer months, so pet owners should be cautious. If it's an exceptionally hot day, keep your dog or cat in the house with you and a fan and/or air conditioning. If it's too hot outside for you, it's too hot outside for your pet. Signs of heatstroke may include: hot skin, rapid panting, twitching muscles, salivation, a dazed expression. Wrap your pet in a towel with cool, not COLD water. Cool him down by giving him ice cubes to lick (as cold water will upset his stomach worse and hasten dehydration). Let him lie in front of a fan. To prevent heat exhaustion, make sure your outside pets have access to shade, fresh water and that you monitor them at least several times a day to make sure they're all right.!

NEVER leave your pet in a parked car - not even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. The temperature in the car can increase rapidly and cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even death. On an 85 degree day, the temperature inside your car, even with the windows open a bit, will climb to 102 degrees in 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, it will go up to 120 degrees or even higher!

GIVE your animal companion plenty of cool, clean water at all times. Dogs can only sweat through the pads of their feet and by panting. Evaporation from the wet surfaces of their mouth and nose helps lower their body temperature.

DO not leave your pet shut in an empty house or tied outside while you're on vacation.

NEVER force your dog to run in hot, humid weather. Watch for hot pavement. Sensitive paws burn easily. After a walk or run, check your dog's paws to make sure they are okay.

KEEP vaccinations up-to-date. This is a time when most pets come into contact with other animals at parks, beaches, lakes and campgrounds.

DON'T let your pets roam the streets. Veterinarians see numerous fight injuries and bite wounds in the summer as well as animals hit or run over by cars.

USE Heartworm preventative as mosquitoes which increase dramatically in the summer, carry Heartworm - one of the most deadly ailments household pets suffer. Mosquitoes carry a parasite that causes pulmonary vascular disease that can lead to heart failure. Preventative medication is the best way to avoid this deadly disease.

WASPS, bees and hornets are also a problem during the summer. Although there is no real way for your pets to avoid being stung, they can be treated with antihistamines to reduce the swelling that follows an attack If swelling doesn't subside, see your vet!

WATCH the exercise and diet of your pets. Overeating can result in overheating. Eating less is healthier for them. Do not encourage exercise during the hottest part of the day. Early mornings and evenings are the best times for exercising.

FLEAS, ticks and other parasites may infest your pet. There are many good products available to keep fleas and ticks off your pet. Check with your vet!

WHEN planning a vacation, don't forget your animal companions. Plan for them too. If you are planning on taking them with you, make certain that they will travel comfortably (with plenty of potty and exercise stops) and that they are welcome guests at hotels, homes of friends, etc, and your destination. If you are leaving them behind, make certain you have a well-credentialed pet-sitter or boarding facility. Referrals from trusted veterinarians and animal-loving friends are always helpful. Check them out well in advance of your proposed trip and make reservations, leaving them with a list of medications and instructions as to feeding, exercise, etc. Leave the name of your vet along with friends and neighbors who know your pet. Leave your whereabouts and how to reach you.

ON holidays such as the 4th of July when your pet is exposed to loud noises such as fireworks, make sure he has a safe, quiet place/sanctuary inside your home, that he is in a room from which he cannot escape or run away and that you have either the television or radio on for him to distract or deflect the scary outside sounds. Keep your pet away from crowds of people and loud noises. This will keep him calm and safe!

BY following these tips, there is a high probability that you and your animal companions will enjoy a safe, healthy and happy summer!

Necessery Pet Care Services

Don't have the time to take your pet to get necessary services? These days, it is no problem. The vendors will come to you.

The home pet care field is a rapidly expanding industry that has answered a very pressing need in society. The modern life style is fast paced and often hectic. This has caused many potential pet lovers to pass up the joys of owning critters because they are unable to give the attention and care that is really needed. The pet industry has provided an excellent solution to this dilemma. There are several different types of services available and they are geared to the pet owner's individual needs.

The most common service is pet sitting. Even the national organization that monitors and certifies care providers uses "sitting" in its name. The idea of the pet sitter is the same as the baby sitter. It is a reliable person that is simply filling in for the owner for a short period of time. Unlike a baby, a pet can be left alone for an evening, but when the absence is going to extend beyond a day, the pet will be neglected unless someone cares for its food and water needs.

The pet sitter replaces the neighbor and friend that are asked to "look in" on the pet. The difference is that the sitter is reliable, trained, and is being paid to do this service. This also eliminates the need to take the pet from the home to a boarding service which is usually expensive and takes the animal from its comfortable surroundings to an often frightening experience in a strange place. The pet does not need to be transporter to and from the boarding facility.

Some services go a step further than simply sitting. These could provide a full time house sitting service. Not only is the pet given attention and care, but the house retains a lived in look that discourages break ins and vandalism. The pet is not only fed and watered, but could also be exercised and provided with company. If the pet has any medical needs, the home pet care providers are generally trained in animal first aid and endorsed by local vets.

It is not even necessary for the pet owner to be away from home. Many vendors will provide daily exercises such as walks for pets whose owners are working regardless of if the work is at home or away from the home. These services are a way to provide the care, love, and attention your pet needs and deserves when for any reason you are unable to provide it. The several different types of providers allow almost any pet care need to be met.