Summer weather brings many dangers to your pet – while a few are outlined in this blog post, be sure to talk with your veterinarian about hazards specific to your area and dog’s breed.
Barbecues and Bonfires: While cookouts and campfires are fun summer traditions, and a great opportunity to meet new neighbors, these can also be stressful on your pet. When having guests (people and pets) over to your house or yard, be sure to monitor your dog for signs of being stressed or overwhelmed. If you have canine visitors, make sure the dogs have a proper introduction, before being allowed to play in the yard. Finally, these events often have food such as grapes and chocolate that are poisonous to dogs.
Swimming: While spending time in and around the water is a great way to cool off, not all dogs enjoy the water. Especially if you have never take your dog swimming, or they are not comfortable swimming, consider purchasing a life jacket for your dog even for “dry” activities such as boating. Additionally, explore your dog’s breed history to gain insight into if they may enjoy the water or not.
Parasites: Veterinarians recommend keeping all pets on parasite and heartworm control year round, however – these creepy-crawlies are much more common in the summer months. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other parasites carry diseases including Lyme disease (HERE), heartworms, and bartonella. Speak to your veterinarian about which products are most appropriate to protect your dog today!
One of the most commonly thought about pet hazards in the summer is heat stress, check back next week for a blog post on this topic.
