Good Summer Reminders for Pet Parents
The Humane Society of the United States Recommends Top 10
Tips to Keep Pets Safe This Summer
(May 25, 2010) -- Memorial Day weekend signals the unofficial start of
summer, and The Humane Society of the United States reminds people to start
thinking about how the warm weather will impact pets. Whether taking a walk,
a drive or just hanging out in the backyard, there are extra precautions
that people can take to keep their four-legged family members happy and
safe:
- Never leave a pet unattended in the car on a warm or sunny day. Cars
quickly heat up to a dangerous temperature, even with the window slightly
open.
- Be sure to keep pets up-to-date on their vaccinations and preventative
medications. Fleas and ticks stay busy in warm weather and summer is also
the prime time for heartworms. Check with a veterinarian about the best way
to keep pets healthy.
- Keep cats indoors to keep them safe. Cars, other pets and wild animals can
all pose risks to cats' safety. By providing playtime, cat trees and other
enrichment, a cat will be happy and content to stay indoors.
- Beware of cocoa mulch and other gardening products. Cocoa mulch can be
deadly if ingested and has an appetizing scent to some animals. Pesticides,
fertilizers and other harsh chemicals can also be quickly fatal if ingested.
- When taking a dog for a walk on a hot day, plan for shorter walks midday,
when temperatures peak, and longer walks in the morning and evening when
it's cooler. Hot sidewalks can burn the pads on a dog's paws, so walk on the
grass when possible.
- Pet rabbits should be kept indoors because they don't tolerate heat well.
Keeping a rabbit indoors will also provide protection from predators who
might try to attack a rabbit in an outdoor hutch.
- Never leave a dog outdoors unattended on a chain or tether. Long-term
chaining during the hot summer months can result in countless insect bites,
dehydration and heat stroke. Even short-term unattended tethering can pose
risks such as theft or attacks by people or animals.
- When driving with pets, be sure to keep them properly restrained and
inside the vehicle. Special seatbelts and secured carriers can protect pets
during accidents and prevent them from distracting the driver. The back of a
pick-up truck is never a safe place for a pet to ride.
- Be mindful of pets around our wild neighbors. When going for walks or
playing in a fenced yard, don't allow pets to harass birds, rabbits,
squirrels or other wild animals.
- The summer months are the peak season for dog bites because so many kids and dogs are playing outside. Training, socialization and dog spaying or neutering a dog can reduce the risk of dog bites. Kids can learn to stay safe through good manners around pets and humane education.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal
protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every
28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the
protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs.
Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at
humanesociety.org.
