Prepping for summer with your pets
Summer is here and so is my monthly column, so welcome back! As you know, our Texas summers have unforgiving temperatures that can be life-threatening to our dogs and cats. For this month’s column, I would like to discuss tips for basic pet care during the summer.
Texas heat in the summer is no joke. Imagine walking around barefoot on hot concrete; that is how it feels for our babies. Ideally, you should avoid walking your dog (or cat, if leash trained) during the hotter times of the day. I recommend going on walks early in the morning or later at night, after sunset. If you are unsure of how hot the ground may be, you can touch it with your own hand or foot to see if it is bearable or not. You can also have your baby wear boots when walking outside, although many dogs will walk funny or not walk at all when you put boots on them the first time.
A very nice way to cool off is enjoying some pool or lake time. If this is something that your baby enjoys, make sure to consider the use of sunscreen for light-colored pups and short-haired fur babies. There are sunscreen products for pets, but if you elect to use a product for humans, avoid products that clearly warn against ingestion, as pets may lick the lotion off their skin.
The areas where they would need the most protection are going to be the bridge of the nose, lips, paws, ears and belly (areas with no hair or little hair). Please remember to apply regularly, as you would with yourself.
While it may seem like a common sense, rule, it bears repeating: DO NOT EVER leave your pet inside your car without AC, not even for a minute, even if you crack the windows! This one is a big no-no, as it gets really hot very quickly inside the car. It is also very important to always have water available at all times for your babies, especially during the summer.
Summer would not be summer without our big holiday: Fourth of July. Needless to say, many pets are terrified of fireworks, so it is important to manage and prevent those phobias. Consulting an animal behaviorist is always recommended, but there are some products out there that you may try, even in combination. The most popular and effective options are ThunderShirt, Zylkene nutritional supplement and Adaptil (for dogs) or Feliway (for cats) products.
These are the more holistic approaches to help with fear of fireworks. But if none of these work, consider asking your veterinarian for a prescription that can help your baby.
Part of having an amazing summer is having social gatherings that include our furry loved ones. Because there are so many diseases and parasites out there, it is important to make sure your babies have their annual or bi-annual check-ups with their veterinarian.
I am not a fan at all of vaccinating every dog and cat against everything, as lifestyles determine exposure to certain diseases and parasites. However, a conversation with your veterinarian will help you determine what would be the best plan for your pet. It is also important to make sure your babies are on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention year round, especially during the warmer months of the year.
These are just some of the basic things to be aware of in order to provide better care to our babies. If you have a veterinarian, feel free to consult with her or him to help you develop a plan of action that will ensure the best care for your pup or kitty during the summer. If you do not have a veterinarian, do not hesitate to contact my hospital, as I would love to be part of that plan of action for your baby.
Let the summer start, and let us enjoy it safely with our furry loved ones! Abrazos, mi gente!
Dr. Josh owns Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital at 14380 Marsh Lane, Ste. 110, in Addison (next to Tom Thumb). You can call him at 972-738-1111 or visit IslaVet.com.
