The summer months are a great time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. However, this warm weather isn’t always good for people or pets to be out in for too long. In fact, warmer temperatures can be just as detrimental to outdoor pet health as the colder temperatures. Because of this, All Creatures Veterinary Clinic & Lodge encourages pet owners in the Ashland, Ohio area and beyond to take the weather into consideration before leaving their pet outside for the day. Furthermore, there are a few essential items your pet needs to stay healthy while outside as part of summer pet care:
- Water
- Food
- Shade
- Shelter
Your pet should never be left alone outside in an enclosed space on your Lodi, Ohio or West Salem, Ohio property during the warm months – especially without these essential items. Without these items, your pet could suffer from heat-related illness that could require immediate veterinary services. Luckily, All Creatures Veterinary Clinic & Lodge offers several Summer Pet Tips to keep your pet healthy and happy while outside or when travelling with you. Furthermore, following these Summer Pet Tips and using good judgment can help reduce the chances of your pet needing emergency care this season.
1.Be Aware of Physical Signs of Overheating
When you’re beginning to get too hot, you sweat. When your dog is beginning to get too hot, they pant. This as well as the want to rest, difficulty breathing, and more can be a sign that your dog is getting too warm and should be provided a cooler place to rest and enjoy a cool drink of water. The sooner these signs of overheating are recognized, the sooner you can reduce your pet’s chances of becoming ill or overheated.
- Don’t Leave Your Pet in the Car
You know how hot the inside of your car can get on a warm day, and that is why it is important not to leave your cat or dog in a car—even for a quick errand! If left in the car, your pet can become dehydrated or suffer a heatstroke which can require immediate veterinary services. In some cases, pets have actually died due to overheating in a parked vehicle. If you are unable to leave your pet at home and need to bring them with you on your travels outside of the Lodi or Ashland area, keep the A/C running in your vehicle and provide your pet with a source of water.
- Reduce Time Spent Outside
When the temperatures are high, reduce your pet’s time outside as concrete and asphalt can burn their paw pads and cause them to overheat quickly. Even when spending time outside playing, it is important to monitor your pet and keep them inside when temperatures are too high in order to maintain outdoor pet health. Should your dog want to go for their daily walk in the warm weather, consider allowing them a short walk around the block or around your property so they can get a feel for the weather and shorten their desire to spend time outside on their own.
4.Supervise Your Pet’s Outdoor Activities
Your pet loves to spend time outside with you, but during a cook out they may try to get into foods that could make them sick or worse. In order to keep your pet safe, make sure any fallen food is disposed of quickly and effectively and that all food and drink items are out of their reach. If you have a pool, make sure your dog does not have access to it or is being watched while playing as not all dogs are good swimmers and can become sick if they try to drink the chlorinated water.
5.Keep Your Pet Hydrated
Whether your pet is spending time inside or outside of your West Salem home, it’s important to make sure they have a source of water they can drink from when they need to as part of summer pet care. This way, you can help keep them hydrated and reduce their chances of suffering from a heat-related illness that could lead to further health issues or death.
Alongside these Summer Pet Tips, it’s important to have your pet on a flea, tick, and heartworm prevention treatment. After all, these parasites have been known to cause your pet discomfort and can even transfer diseases from one animal to another! In order to maintain outdoor pet health and reduce your pet’s chances of developing a serious ailment such as Lyme disease or heartworms, contact All Creatures Veterinary Clinic & Lodge. With their help, you’ll be able to learn more about the preventative treatments they offer and how this form of summer pet care can benefit your pet inside and outside of your West Salem, Ohio residence. They can also provide you with additional veterinary services to help keep your pet healthy and happy throughout the year. If you’re from the Lodi, Ohio or Ashland, Ohio area and would like to more about All Creatures Veterinary Clinic & Lodge and how they can help your pet this summer, visit www.acvet.net or call one of their physical locations today!
All Creatures Veterinary Clinic & Lodge
www.acvet.net
12545 Sheets Rd
Rittman, OH 44720
330.925.4910
249 High St.
Wadsworth, OH 44281
330.334.1677