You in all probability think of on the safety of yourselves and your family. However do not forget your pets. This is a key element of pet care. Summer is especially difficult and different for your pet. The two main things to pay attention to are the results of the heat and vacations.
Lets commence with the effect of the heat on the animal. They are like us – they will want more water, keep it on hand 24 / 7. If you are a frequent dog walker make sure they have the access to have water, every sixty minutes or so, or even more often if you are of the vigorous type.
Whilst you would not think or leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is astonishing and a shame the amount of people who do this to their pets. This can murder an animal, temperatures in the sun, can quickly rise to more than 100 degrees. Leaving the window slightly ajar, does not help that much.
Just like ourselves, with no change to activity level, you need less food to maintain your weight in the summer. If you, or your pet, keep eating the same, you certainly will put on weight. Pet obesity is increasing everywhere. Putting on weight in summer, may slow the pet down in winter and this can then lead to more weight gain, so consider reducing the food, or as a minimum, keep an eye on your pets weight.
Danger with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most quickly go off as its temperature gets near to blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the animal does not consume wet food within half an hour, through it away. Dry food is very safe, if does not become wet. So if you have a slobbery animal, little and often should be the principle. Watch out for condensation, or drops of water from the air conditioner.
Whilst exercising the dog during the hot weather, you may have done it for the last six months without a problem, watch out, he may suddenly want to bound into some water, with you if you do not let go of the lead. Perhaps more risky is the leap into a canal, if he is not on a lead. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, you can often see people being hauled in! Not helped by them wanting to say hi to the ducks. In summer there are often more animals around for them to chase, so be watchful and controlling.
Summer, is often the time of the long vacation. So if you must choose a pet sitter, try to find a professional pet sitter, who will even check out all the dangers as part of their contract. This is often the wisest option for the animal, they prefer to be in their home area. If not, and you have to board them, check the kennels out. Preferably a personal recommendation, as always there can be great and poor. The animal may not like it, but they are secure.
What about taking your pet on holiday with you. Without doubt the most risky option for an animal. Prepare and plan well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The journey in the automobile is dangerous for ourselves as well. Certainly consider using a pet restraint, you wear one, for obvious reason, so ensure your pet has one. The problem of dehydration, so stop for water stops for you and your pet every sixty minutes, or a bit longer if you have the clime on. Be particularly careful on the stops, there are often cars moving about, and the animal may want to take a run for it (you might as well).
When you arrive you will be in a strange location. So check it out thoroughly for any dangers to your pet. The biggest one is running away, particularly in motels, rooms opening out onto a main highway and cars. Did you know that digestion of fruit and especially {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep an eye on them.
Pets, will find it difficult to get back to your motel, if lost, we all know of good cases and happy endings when pets get lost near their normal home. This is not the case on vacation. Ensure you have solid and visible name / phone tags and keep them on a leash.
I hope you and your pets have a happy, event free holiday.