Summertime
Summertime living. There’s nothing quite like it. We enjoy warm days, sunshine, socializing, and outdoor activities with friends, both human and animal. We all look forward to long days and mellow nights spent relaxing and enjoying all summer has to offer.
Lazy Days
One of the best parts of summer is sharing the days with those who bring us the most joy and the best companionship. For many, that means their pet in addition to (or sometimes instead of) people. As you and your pet embrace summer activities and indulge in nature’s decadence together, it’s important to make sure your pet has a great time and stays safe.
Water, the Nectar of Life
The heat and sunshine, while glorious and enjoyable, affect pets in ways similar to the ways they affect humans, especially with heatstroke and dehydration. South Hyland Pet Hospital wants to remind you that staying appropriately hydrated is crucial for both you and your pet. It’s imperative to have fresh, clean water available for your pet while you’re enjoying summer fun. That might mean bringing a small collapsible bowl with you and fresh water in an insulated bottle for them.
Dehydration can be really serious in your pet, causing kidney and stomach problems. Signs of dehydration can be:
- Panting heavily
- Eyes, mouth, and nose that appear dry
- Saliva that’s thicker than normal
- Appearing sleepy and listless
- Not wanting to eat
- Not urinating as frequently as usual
- Dark colored urine
The first line of treatment for dehydration can sometimes be done at home. That includes:
- Giving water in small amounts
- Using a syringe to give water if needed
- Giving water frequently
- Feeding wet food or adding water to dry food
- Closely monitoring your pet’s well-being to see if they need our help
Other Summer Safety Tips
While hydration is crucial to your pet’s wellness during the hot summer months, there are other safety tips important to ensuring their health and happiness. For example, you should:
- Make sure your dog really can swim (not all breeds can)
- Have a life jacket available for your dog and make sure they wear it if needed
- Don’t let your pet drink salt or chlorinated water
- Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day
- Use pet sunscreen on their nose and ears
- Don’t give your pet alcohol
- Keep an eye on what your pet is eating at summer picnics and barbeques
- Don’t give your dog the bones from any meat
- Make sure they don’t eat salty foods like potato chips or pretzels
- Never leave your dog in a hot car
- Make sure your pet has flea, tick, and heartworm protection
- Make sure vaccines are up to date
A good rule of thumb? If it seems like a bad idea, it probably is.
South Hyland Pet Hospital
South Hyland Pet Hospital in Minneapolis, MN can provide wants to help your pet stay healthy and happy this summer. We can be reached at 952-884-1868 or by email at southhyland@southhyland.com for routine preventative care and vaccinations, as well as for medical care should your pet need it. We want to help you and your pet enjoy this summer and many more together!
Image credit: Pexels
