Okay, the chicken bit may be stretching it a little, but not much. Without a doubt, the heat this summer is extreme. We take care to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, stay cool, but what about our pets? They’re at our mercy and they are incredibly vulnerable to the heat as well.
Here are a few easy tips – tips that could well save your pet’s life.
*Do not leave your pets in the car, even with the windows down. They can suffer heat stroke quickly. And in many states it’s illegal to leave your dog in the car in extreme weather.
*Keep clean water available at all times when your dog is inside and out. And be sure your dog has access to shade.
*Pool play is fun, but be sure your dog is able to get out of the pool on its own. Baby pools can also be a fun, cool down treat for dogs.
*Heartworm, flea & tick preventatives are always important, but especially so in the summer. Check with your vet to make sure you’re using the proper preventatives.
*Be careful of open windows. Animals can escape through screens and get lost. Or even worse, plunge to their death.
*Summer haircuts for dogs are great, but leave enough fur for protection again the sun’s rays. There are doggy safe sunscreens on the market if you have a short haired dog and will be in the sun for long periods of time (like boating.)
*Asphalt can overheat at peak hours of the day and burn the pads of animals’ feet.
*4th of July Fireworks frighten many pets into bolting. July 5th is the busiest day of the year in many shelters. Keep your pets contained – and just in case be sure their collars/tags/microchips are up to date.
For more info, visit this article on hot weather pet tips from the Humane Society: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/hot-weather-tips.aspx
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How do you stay cool in the summer? Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a copy of LOVE BITES by Lori Foster, Brenda Jackson, Catherine Mann, Virna DePaul and Jules Bennett. (My story is titled “Dog Tags.”) LOVE BITES can also be purchased in ebook form from any online venue. ALL proceeds go to The Animal Adoption Foundation in Hamilton, Ohio. Winner will be drawn at random on Friday, July 6, 2012.
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USA Today best seller Catherine Mann writes military romantic suspense for Sourcebooks and Berkley, as well as steamy romances for Harlequin. A RITA Award winner, Catherine Mann has over two million books in print. She lives in Florida with her flyboy husband, their four children, and their menagerie of pets. FMI, about Catherine's books, inlcuding her Sourcebooks "Elite Force" series, visit:
Website: http://catherinemann.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatherineMannAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CatherineMann1
Great post! And don't forget that they don't have that thick layer of rubber between their paws and the hot sidewalks like you do so think about the temperature of the ground when you are going for walks with them!
ReplyDeleteSo true! I don't have any pets right now, but I was always careful during the Houston summers when I did. And fireworks! My MIL lives in the suburbs, where fireworks are allowed, and her poor dog is traumatized.
ReplyDeleteRemember that in a lot of jurisdictions, the police can and do break into cars to save any animals they find in cars. Good for them, someone needs to be the responsible adult when it comes to animals.
ReplyDeletetrying to keep pets and myself cool when I lived in house with no AC in Oklahoma was a challenge. But placed small pans of water with ice in front of a fan helped a lot. Also always left the cold water running at a small stream for the cats to drink whenever they wanted. Kepp safe and think if you would not go there barefoot then don't make your pet go there.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could keep my big guy in the house all the time... He LOVES being outside. He doesn't care how hot it is... At least it's not too hot here... I need someone to tell him that it's too hot for me!!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Kim! I hear you - my Lab is that way. He loves to be outside. We do have a pool and he swims often. I've been keeping bowls of water out for him, but I'm looking into putting an attachment on the outdoor faucet that allows him to lick fresh water anytime he wants (without the bowls lying around and getting kicked over!;)
ReplyDeleteLinda, I agree the pans of ice are a great idea!! My foster puppies like to play in it too. ;)
ReplyDeleteSharon, I hear ya! In some of our area counties, pet owners can be cited/fined for leaving a pet outside w/no water or shelter.
ReplyDeleteShana, my pets tremble like crazy too over fireworks - especially my puggle Sadie. So sad!!
ReplyDeleteElf, great point about doggie booties if the dog absolutely has to walk on hot surfaces for an extended time.
ReplyDeleteMy dogs and cats were always house pets. My Lab, with her arthritis, would lie out in the sun and soak it up for a bit to feel better, than she was back in the house in the cool AC. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Catherine, and so very important! Our poor pets do suffer with the heat...and our poor Jamie is all black!
ReplyDeleteWe do keep a floor fan in each room so that it blows on him to cool him off. He's picky about the type of water he'll drink...he prefers dirty water outside! He loves to drink from the birdbath too.
Thanks for reminding everyone with your wonderful tips!
CH - Love the image of your dog lapping from the bird bath!! ;)
ReplyDeleteTerry, our are indoor pets too. :)When the dogs come back inside, they love to lay with their bellies against the cool tile floor, lol!
ReplyDeleteI do worry about my outdoor kitties. I wonder if THEY would like a kiddie pool...?
ReplyDeleteI like to stay cool with a cold drink.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
It's not to bad here in MI but i want to get one of those small pools and see if our dogs would get in it and cool off. Right now we give them plenty of water and they like to find the shade.
ReplyDeleteFor me it's all about the popsicles and cold water.
Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com
We keep our Basset Hound in doors a lot with the air conditioning on. He gets a bath if it gets 2 hot.Which he hates.We bought him at 9 months old from a lady who said where she bought him from he was abused. He is scared of Fireworks and people. Now he enjoys lazy days at home and staying cool
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for air conditioning. I had an uncle that would take his dog with him on car trips but he always left the car running with the A/C on! I care for ferals/strays and always have water available for them and change it more than once a day in this really hot weather.
ReplyDeleteI keep my dog indoors during the summer with the A/C on and only take him out for a walk early morning or late in the evening when it's not so hot. The good thing is, my backyard has plenty of shade for the days we spend outdoors.
ReplyDeletekliu107 (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi Kristy! Congrats on winning a copy of LOVE BITES - and many thanks to all who posted a comment! I appreciate it! XXOO!
ReplyDeleteDon’t forget the paws of your dogs. If you will walk them under the scorching heat of summer, make sure they’re wearing paw protection. Or, it is much better if you’ll walk them at the coolest time of the day.->Maurine Roe
ReplyDeleteAs a dog owner if you ask me, the best thing to do is keep dog hydrated in summer
ReplyDelete