I am interested in proper care of my pets during the summer. Please give me some information on this subject.
Every season has its hazards for our cat and dog friends, but summer can be especially dangerous unless we take some precautions concerning the health and safety of our pets. Here are some common summer problems and ways to prevent them:Food - Your pet may eat less in the summer months. Animals require fewer calories to keep their bodies warm. Feed your animal in the morning before the temperature climbs. When the mercury hits 90 degrees, metabolic changes triggered by the heat may make your pet a fussy eater. Food poisoning is also a common pet affliction when the weather is hot. Remove uneaten canned food after one-half hour and refrigerate it to be used later. Food left outside can spoil quickly and cause food poisoning, become contaminated by insects, and may attract rodents.
The most common toxic substance ingested by animals is garbage! The garbage itself is not the culprit, but if the garbage has time to sit around, dangerous levels of bacterial toxins may build up. Garbage should be kept in sturdy containers with tight-fitting lids or kept where animals definitely cannot get at it.
Water - Be sure your pet always has plenty of cool, fresh water to drink, whether it's inside or outdoors. When your pet is outside, place water in an area that is shady and be careful to secure the bowl so it won't tip over.
Shelter - If your pet is left outside for more than a few minutes on a hot summer day, it must have a shady place to rest. On a hot day, it doesn't take long for a dog or cat without shelter to collapse from the heat and that could be dangerous. Older pets should be kept indoors.
Exercise - In the summer strenuous exercise should be limited to the cooler hours of the early morning or evening.
Heartworm - With warmth and rain come the mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm larva from the blood of an infected dog to a non-infected dog. Heartworm can cause serious disease and even death, but a simple blood test and preventative medication can prevent this problem. Heartworm, although not as prevalent here as in some states, is still something you should be concerned about and have checked by your veterinarian.
Heatstroke - The summer sun can be dangerous to your pet in a number of ways: A light-colored dog with a fresh, short haircut can get a painful sunburn if left outdoors with no shade. But a far more serious problem is heatstroke, especially for obese dogs and the short-nosed breeds, who may have trouble breathing even in cooler weather. In such dogs, the body temperature may go up and they can collapse from heatstroke, even without heavy exercise. A cool, shady place to rest and an ample supply of fresh water are very important.
Even more deadly is the cruel practice of taking a pet for a ride in the car and then leaving it in the car while the owner ships or runs errands. Even with a window partially opened, the temperature can climb to well over 100 degrees in minutes.
Grooming - Daily brushing will help keep your pet's coat clean and healthy, plus it's good for the skin. When brushed daily, most pets don't need frequent bathing. Too many baths can cause dry skin, which can lead to other problems. Some pets' coats mat more easily than others and this can cause discomfort. Long-haired cats and dogs with soft, thick coats should be brushed daily to eliminate this problem. Check for matted hair behind the ears, too. If the mats cannot be brushed out easily, they must be cut out very carefully. If you have your dog groomed regularly by a professional, you can save yourself some money and the groomer a lot of time by a daily brushing routine.
Check your pet's feet periodically and make certain the nails are trimmed. Untrimmed nails can make standing and walking uncomfortable and the nails could become ingrown. Be sure to check the dewclaw, too, if it has not been surgically removed. If you can't trim the nails yourself, have it done by your veterinarian or a groomer.
Some dogs have thick or long hair between their toes and they often pick up burrs and other debris in the fur. Remove it carefully. You might want to trim the hair to make removal easier. Also check the pads on each foot for cuts or punctures.
Next week I will address some additional summer hazards, including venomous insects and snakes, skin conditions and the problem of free-roaming pets.
-If you have a question about health, behavior problems, laws, etc., regarding wild or domestic animals, please write Leslie Kelson-Probert, Salt Lake County Animal Services, 511 W. 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84123.