You in all probability spend time on the safety of your family. However do not forget your animals. This is a key element of pet care. Summer is particularly difficult and different for your pet. The two main things to watch for are the results of warmer weather and holidays.
Lets get going with the results of the hot weather on the pet. Just like us – they will need more water, keep it on hand 24 / 7. If you are a regular dog walker make sure they have the ability to have water, every hour or so, or even more regularly 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 astounding and a shame the number of people who do this to their pets. This can murder an animal, temperatures in the sun, can quickly increase to over 100 degrees. Putting the window slightly ajar, is next to useless.
Pets are similar to ourselves, with no change to activity level, you need less food to maintain your weight in the summer. If you, or your animal, keep eating the same, you without doubt will increase your weight. Pet obesity is increasing everywhere. Putting on weight during summer, will slow the pet down in winter and you get a vicious circle, so consider reducing the food, or as a minimum, monitor your animals weight.
Danger with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most quickly go off as its temperature approaches blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the pet does not eat wet food within half an hour, remove it. Dry food is very safe, if does not become wet. So if you have a slobbery pet, often and little should be the principle. Watch out for condensation, or drops of water from the air conditioner.
Whilst walking the dog in the heat, you may have done it for the last six months without a problem, however, he may suddenly want to jump into some water, with company – you if you are holding onto the lead. Probably more risky is the jump 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 chasing the ducks. In summer there is often more wildlife around for them to chase, so be watchful and controlling.
Summer, is often the time of the long vacation. So if you are having to find a pet sitter, try to find a professional company, who vet and train their pet sitters. A good London pet sitter, will even check out all the risks as part of their contract. Pet Sitting is often the wisest option for the pet, they would rather be in their home area. If not, and you have to put them in kennels, check the boarding out. Ideally a personal recommendation, as in everything there can be excellent and pitable. The pet may not like it, but they are safe.
What about taking your pet on holiday with you. This is the most dangerous choice for an animal. Prepare and plan well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the car 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 hour, or a bit longer if you have the clime on. Be particularly careful on the stops, look out for traffic movement, and the animal may want to take a run for it (you might as well).
When you arrive you will be in a new location. So check it out thoroughly for any risks to your animal. The greatest one is running away, particularly in motels, straight out onto a busy road and cars. Did you know that digestion of fruit and particularly {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep them away from the fruit.
Pets, will find it difficult to get back to your hotel, if lost, its not as likely as if they were at home – and the neighbours know them. This is not the case in a strange place. Ensure you have good name / phone tags and keep them on a lead.
I wish you and your pets have a happy, event free holiday.