With the summer season coming up fast, now is a great time for barbecues, picnics, beach outings, and hiking excursions. It’s also a smart time to think about your furry friend’s safety. As the temperature rises this summer, it is essential to understand how to keep your pet out of harm's way. Here at Capital Pets Animal Hospital, we do not want to see any pets dealing with heat-related illnesses this summer. Keep reading to discover a few helpful pet summer safety tips from a vet in South Sacramento!
Your pet may love going for rides, but you shouldn't leave them sitting in your car during hot weather. Home is the best place for them. It only takes around 30 minutes for the interior of a car to climb to 120° when the outside temperature is 85°. Despite what you might think, leaving your windows open slightly won't keep the vehicle significantly cooler, nor does parking away from direct sunlight. And leaving your car running with the air conditioner on isn’t a solution, either. Even new cars can have mechanical problems, and it's possible for unattended pets to unintentionally switch off the air conditioner or even bump the vehicle out of park, allowing it to roll away. Leaving an animal in a car by itself can be deadly. No matter how much your pet likes going with you, it is safest to never leave them in a car unsupervised.
Your dog or cat should always have unrestricted access to fresh water. This is especially important during warm weather. Like people, animals need to stay well-hydrated when it's hot. Ensure that their water bowl at home is always full of clean water. Bring along a container of water and a collapsible bowl when taking your canine companion for a walk, too.
The air temperature isn't the only thing you need to worry about during the summer. Pavement gets extremely hot, too, and can cause serious burns. Black asphalt is the worst offender and can be up to 60° warmer than the current air temperature. Serious burns can occur within one minute of contact. We recommend avoiding all types of pavement as much as possible during the summer, especially on hot, sunny days. If walking on a paved surface is your only option, check the temperature with your hand before letting your pet walk on it. If you can't comfortably keep your hand on it for 10 seconds, your pet cannot walk on it without risking serious burns to their paw pads. Purchasing a pair of booties is a great way to protect your pet's paws when walking on hot pavement is a must.
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes - which carry heartworm - are especially common during the summer months. Booking an appointment with a vet in South Sacramento is the best way to keep your pet up to date on safe and effective flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives.
If your four-legged best friend needs a vet in South Sacramento, we'd love to lend a hand. Get in touch with Capital Pets Animal Hospital now to make your pet's appointment.
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