Helpful Pet Tips
Summer Safety
Pests
Fleas and other unwanted pests are part of living, but they don’t have to be a threat to your or to your pet if you take the proper precautions. Fleas and
other pests can become a problem especially during the hot months of the summer, but there are some simple steps you can take to prevent pest associated problems.
Even an indoor pet can have flea hassles. Fleas cause skin irritations, carry types of worms, and even cause anemia, which lowers your pet’s resistance to certain diseases.
You should part your pet’s hair and look for the obvious signs of fleas, such as small comma like droppings, red irritated skin, and scabbing. You will also be able to see fleas running around on the animal’s skin.
In order to prevent a flea problem, have your home treated with foggers, sprays, and powders. Keep upholstery and carpet vacuumed. Be sure to ask your vet about these products before you use them.
Hot Car
Leaving your pet in your car on a hot day can prove to be harmful, even deadly, for your pet. Within a few minutes, the temperature inside your car can become well over 160° F. This is hot enough to cause harmful brain damage or possibly death. Shopping at a store for 5 minutes can turn into 15 to 20 minutes. 15 to 20 minutes in a hot car could result in your pet’s 
death. Just cracking a window isn’t enough to make the temperature safe for your pet, and there is a possibility of someone breaking into your car.
Having your pet ride in the bed of a truck can also be dangerous. When the truck comes to a sudden stop, a dog is unable to brace itself. While riding in the bed of a truck, a dog can receive sunburn, have a heatstroke, or get burns from the hot metal of the bed. They can also hurt their eyes, ears, and nose because of things flying around them. Having your dog tied up in the bed isn’t a solution either. They can hurt themselves jumping or falling out of the vehicle. If the dog absolutely has to ride in the bed of the truck, you should secure a crate for it to stay in. However just because it is in a crate doesn’t mean it is safe from the heat. You should periodically check on it and provide it with water.
During the hot weather of the summer, it is possible for your pet to have a heat stroke. Have your pet stay indoors with fans or air conditioning while the temperature out side is peaking. In situations where your pet has to remain outside, provide it with some kind of covering in a shady area with water that can’t be knocked over. Exhaustion, heavy panting and a lurching gait are just some signs of possible heat stroke.
