Paws and Claws: Keeping your pets safe this summer

by Cindy Anderson, DVM, Animal Care Clinic

With the coming of the summer season, there some important things to remember to keep your pets safe. You may know that cold weather poses health risks to your pets, but warm weather — even on days that do not seem very hot to you — can be just as, or more dangerous. Knowing the risks and being prepared can keep your pets safe.

Making sure pets have unlimited access to fresh water at all times and access to shaded areas while outside are simple and effective ways to protect their health. Keeping pets free of common warm-weather parasites, such as fleas, ticks and heartworm, also is extremely important.

While at home, be sure that the plants in your garden or landscaped areas are pet safe and that your fertilizer, insecticides and gardening items are kept where your pets cannot access them. If you have a lawn service, make sure they know you have pets and they follow the safety instructions on their products. Pay special attention to how long pets should not be allowed in treated areas.

When providing the needed exercise for your pet, be sure to do it during the coolest time of the day. Allow for frequent breaks and bring enough fresh water for both you and your pet. Always be sure to avoid hot surfaces, like asphalt, as it can burn their paws.

Animals should never be left in parked vehicles, as the inside temperature can rise 20 degrees in less than 10 minutes. That means on a 70-degree day, the inside of your vehicle soon could reach 110 degrees, and cracking the windows has very little effect on the inside temperature. Please just leave them at home, where they can wait for you in a safe place and happily await your return.

While traveling, keep your pet properly restrained in the vehicle, possibly with a harness or carrier. A loose, small pet can crawl down into the foot well and interfere with the use of the brake or accelerator pedal or distract you from driving. It also is important for your pet to remain totally inside the vehicle. We know how much dogs love hanging their heads out the window, but they could potentially injure their eyes, ears, face or mouth with airborne objects.

Last but not least, enjoy fun in the sun with your pet, but always take precautions and be prepared for everyone’s safety and peace of mind.

The staff at Animal Care Clinic, located at 926 W. Grand River Ave., in Williamston, 517-655-5551, will be happy to help you and your pet with any summer safety needs.

Cindy Anderson, DVM,  is a graduate of MSU Veterinary College (1992) and has practiced veterinary medicine for over 28 years. She traveled to Italy, New Zealand and Manitoba before establishing her own clinic in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.  Dr. Cindy took over duties at the Animal Care Clinic in October 2019 and now spends the majority of her time in the Lower Peninsula helping animals and their owners.