Tips from Our Animal Hospital: Summer Pet Safety

Whether you spend your summer days swinging in the hammock in your backyard while your pet rests nearby or taking trips to the lake with your furry friend in tow, we want you to enjoy your time together as much as possible. Like every other season, summer has its share of health hazards that can cause trouble for your pet—and you! Our veterinarian in Carmel recommends the following summer pet safety tips to help you avoid these common pitfalls.

Heat Safety

Summer can get hot. That’s a known fact. Your pet can tire easily in the heat and develop heat stroke. To prevent this, you should:

  • Keep your pet hydrated at all times with a steady supply of fresh, clean water
  • If your pet doesn’t have a shady place to shelter from the sun, make one or bring them inside where they can stay cool
  • Never, ever leave your cat or dog (or any other live animal) in a parked car. Rolling the windows down will not lower the temperature–in fact, it will likely increase very quickly (the inside of a vehicle can go from 70 degrees to about 90 in just 10 minutes)
  • Avoid walking your pet over hot pavement. Walk them first thing in the morning or around sunset instead. Otherwise, you can invest in booties to protect their paws. If the pavement is too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet!

Parasite Protection

To keep parasites at bay, we recommend:

  • Giving your pet their monthly doctor-prescribed flea, tick and heartworm preventives throughout the entire year. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of an infestation, and will keep your pet comfortable and happy
  • Keeping your pet up to date with their vaccines
  • If you live near a forested area and frequently walk your dog through brush, tall grasses and trees, check their fur, ears and paws for signs of ticks before entering your home. Be sure to check yourself as well, just in case!
  • Are there fleas in your home? Vacuum your carpets and floors and wash all clothes, blankets and towels. Look for effective house sprays like Virbac’s ‘Knockout’ treatment. If you need additional recommendations, let us know!
Summer Pet Safety in Carmel: Dog standing majestically before a looming storm

Thunderstorms & Tornadoes

Severe weather can spell trouble for anxious pets. Safety precautions you can take include:

  • Having your pet microchipped and registering their information in case they run away and get lost
  • Updating the ID tags on your pet’s collar
  • If your family needs to take shelter during a storm, place your cat in a carrier and/or put your dog on a secure leash so they don’t run away. We recommend practicing as a routine to help your pet get comfortable with the procedure.
  • Trying calming methods such as doctor-prescribed medication, behavior therapy, or investing in a Thundershirt. Having something wrapped snugly (but not tightly) around their middle can help pets feel more secure.

If you have any questions about the tips listed above, please call us anytime during our office hours at (317) 900-7723.