You are here: Home / Articles / Travel / Travel Advice / Top 10 Summer Pet Health Tips For Home And Travel

Top 10 Summer Pet Health Tips For Home And Travel

Buffalo, New York -- June 21st marks the beginning of summer and all of those situations that can create havoc for your pet and you. Heat, humidity, travel, fleas, ticks. PetMD.org has issued its Top 10 Summer Pet Health Tips to help you enjoy the summer with your pets. Here are their tips:

1. Water ... have it in multiple locations for your pet.

Water bowls can turn over easily, get dirt in them or grow bacteria and your pet can be left without cool, fresh, clean water. When you travel (or hike), take water with you for your pet.

2. Do not leave your pet in the car.

Do not leave your pet in the car as it takes only a few minutes for the auto to get hot ... even with cracked windows ... plus it is against the law in many states, including California.

3. Know your pet's heat tolerance.

Heat and humidity along with age, health, obesity and type of breed or type of pet factor into heat tolerance. Dogs and cats - whose normal body temperature is between 100 and 102.5 - don't do well in heat, especially if they get dehydrated. Cats sweat through their paws and will lick themselves to cool down, become inactive, as well as seek cool places; however, above 85 or 90 degrees they can get stressed. Dogs do not lose heat as fast as humans; therefore, heat can become a health risk quickly.

4. Throw away uneaten pet food.

Bacteria grows faster when it is hot, so uneaten pet food should be thrown out. More frequent, smaller portions may be appropriate during the summer.

5. Know what is toxic to your pet.

Plants, household items and foods such as chocolate, onions, coffee, nicotine, alcoholic beverages, poultry bones, fatty foods and grapes/raisins can be harmful.

6. PET ID and contact info on your pet.

Pets are more active in the summer, chase other animals, can be with you traveling in an unfamiliar place ... and end up lost. The pet's name and your phone number (cell - fastest way to reach you) on its collar can be a lifesaver.

7. Check your pet for fleas, ticks, mites.

Check and groom your pet daily (cats, dogs) to assure that they do not have fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm (from mosquitos), bites, or other infections or rashes from being outdoors.

8. Groom your pet daily.

Grooming your pet daily in the summer will help your pet stay cooler, provide inspection for health problems and reduce hairballs in cats.

9. Keep fish tanks away from sunlight.

The temperature of fish is directly affected by water temperature. If the sun heats the water, it can harm fish.

10. Pet walking ... do it in the early morning or evening.

In southern climates when it is very hot, or now with global warming in many areas of the US, try to walk or exercise your pet in the morning or early evening when it is cooler.