Keep your pet safe this summer

Keep your pet safe this summer

Tips and Tricks to keep your pet safe this Summer

Never leave your pet in a parked car

On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels, causing organ damage, and even death.

Use pet-friendly sunscreen

Skin cancer is common in dogs and cats.

Even though fur provides some protection from the sun, you should apply a pet sunscreen every 3 to 4 hours to the least hair-covered spots: noses and bellies on dogs (especially ones who like to lie on their backs) and ears on cats.

Try to keep your pet out of the sun during the middle part of the day where possible.

Do not use human sunscreen – it is toxic to pets.

Provide shade and water

Any time your pet is outside, make sure they have protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water.

Tree shade and tarpaulins are ideal because they don’t obstruct air flow.

Watch out for grass seeds

Foxtail grasses can embed in eyes, ears, noses, paws and skin, often requiring surgical removal.

Check your pet thoroughly after being outdoors, especially if they have been in long grass.

Be water-wise

If you’re a boatie, consider having your pet wear a life vest in a bright colour.

Beware of currents and riptides. If a dog gets in trouble in one of these, whether swimming or caught in a wave while fetching a ball, they can be swept out to sea in minutes. The same goes for rivers.

Limit exercise on hot days

Exercise your dog in early morning or evening hours.

Footpaths and roads get very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk dogs on the grass.

Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.

Hot tip

An easy way to judge how hot the footpath is, is to place your hand on the pavement. If it’s too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your pet’s paws.