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By Linda Vanator
As the weather changes from unpredictable to the full blown glory days of summer we shed the shackles of winter and our thoughts turn to spending time outdoors. Summer vacations, swimming, hiking, backyard barbeques and pool parties, lazy days at the beach, gardening, lawn care or just taking advantage of the long days spending more time with friends and family.
Let’s not forget about our pets! Often, as summer turns our heads, our pets are spending more time alone, be it in the house or out in the yard. Maybe your pets are always with you, taking rides in the car, visiting parks or even road tripping with you to pet friendly camp grounds, parks, picnic areas or hotels.
The “Dog Days of Summer” can take on a whole new meaning if we don’t take precautions and make sure that all of our pets remain healthy and safe throughout the season.
Are your pets safe? Let’s start with the basics.
Fleas and Ticks
Dogs and cats need to be protected from these opportunistic bloodsuckers. Along with causing painful itching they can cause dangerous skin allergies, anemia, tapeworm infestation and depending on where in the USA you live, various potentially fatal diseases.
Fleas
The cycle of itching and scratching is annoying enough. Some pets are allergic to flea saliva and develop such severe itching that hair loss and skin damage can occur. If left untreated a bacterial skin infection can develop. Fleas can also transmit tapeworm. An untreated flea infested animal can develop anemia, which, put simply, is a loss of red blood cells.
Ticks
Ticks are disease carriers. Dogs and Cats are at risk for such diseases as, Babesiosis, Erlichiosis, Lyme disease, and tick paralysis. Disease free ticks can be a serious problem if they are present in large numbers. Ticks can attach to sensitive places such as inside the ear or near the eyes. There is also risk to humans. Ticks can transmit devastating and debilitating diseases to us. By far the most publicized, recognized, and prevalent being Lyme disease. Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Bartonella henselae (one of the causes of cat scratch fever) are also a concern.
Prevention is the key. By the time an owner notices fleas or evidence of fleas (little black specks is actually flea fecal matter) an infestation has already taken hold. Visit your vet or local animal clinic and get your pet started on preventative medications. Today’s prescription flea and tick control products are far more powerful and much safer and easier to use than ineffective shampoos, dips, powders, sprays and collars.
Flea-proof Your Home
- Keep your rugs and carpets as well as your furniture, floors and anywhere your pet sleeps clean and vacuumed.
- Wash bedding toys and towels once a week.
- Sweep or hose down your decks, porches, steps – keep your lawn mowed and remove anything that can collect shallow pools of water and debris that can serve as an inviting place for these pests to hide out.
- Always check your pet and yourself after walks in the woods or grassy areas.
- Keep all unwrapped or opened food in the refrigerator or cabinets.
- Visit your Vet for prescription preventatives.
- Read labels carefully, make sure the products you use to treat your home with are animal safe.
The Great Outdoors – Your Backyard
Sometimes the summer quest for a beautiful lawn can spell trouble for our pets. Make certain that any herbicide or pesticide you treat your yard with is safe for animals. Read labels and contact the manufacturer if you aren’t certain. If you hire a lawn care company, make sure they know you have pets that use your property. Ask questions and make sure all products used to treat your lawns are safe. Keep your pets off the treated areas for the recommended amount of time specified by the manufacturer.
Flies can ruin anyone’s day but bait that keeps them away from us can be very dangerous to pets. Baits containing methomyl are very dangerous. Methomyl is also used as slug and snail bait. Make sure your pets have no access to these products.
Store all chemicals safely. Even pool chemicals and spa treatment chemicals should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Other Potential Dangers
- Snakes, spiders, scorpions, and toads can deliver potentially deadly amounts of toxins to pets.
- Blue-green algae in ponds or any pool of standing water
- Citronella candles or citronella oil is toxic to pets.
- Cocoa Mulch – if ingested can be toxic.
- Compost piles – make sure your pets don’t have access.
- Swimming Pools – keep gates and fences locked. Even if your pet is a competent swimmer a muscle cramp or disorientation from fatigue can cause them to panic and not be able to climb out. Avoid this potential danger by watching your pets when they have access to your pool.
Outdoor Plants and Plant Bulbs – make sure your outdoor plants are non-toxic to your pets. Plant your bulbs where your pets can’t dig them up and eat them.
It’s been said many times, every year and still we read about deaths because pets have been left in cars. Rolling down the window a few inches can’t keep a vehicle cool enough. You may have parked in the shade and ran into the store just for a few minutes but in those few minutes the temperature in your car can spike quickly to deadly numbers. Please don’t leave your animals unattended in any vehicle, for any reason. A quick ride to the store can turn into a tragedy quickly.
Disaster Supply Checklist
Do you live in an area where tornados, flash floods, deadly summer storms or hurricanes are a concern? When you prepare your family for these potential disasters, prepare for your pets too. In case of an emergency you should have a “disaster kit” readily accessible. Store it in a sturdy container that can be easily carried with you. Include the following:
· Any medication your pet takes and your pet’s medical records. (keep these in a waterproof container)
· A first-aid kit and a pet first-aid manual.
· Leashes, harnesses and/or pet carriers to transport pets safely.
· Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help identify them should you become separated.
· A 5 day supply of food and water for each pet (along with a manual can opener if needed)
· Cat litter and a litter box
· Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems and any other information you feel is important and relevant to your pets.
· The name and phone number of your Veterinarian.
· Pet beds and toys to reduce stress (if you can easily take them with you)
· Newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, grooming items, blankets and towels.
Be Aware
As we all prepare for summer, make sure we make safety a priority. Educate yourself about the dangers. Protect the animal members of our families. Most of all have a safe and wonderful summer. |
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