You almost certainly spend time on the safety of yourselves and your family. However do not forget your pets. This is a crucial element of pet care. Summer is particularly difficult and different for your pet. The two main things to watch for are the effects of warmer weather and vacations.
Lets start with the effect of the heat on the pet. They are like us they will need more water, keep it accessible 24 / 7. If you regularly go dog walking make sure they have the ability to have water, every sixty minutes or so, or even more regularly if you are of the active type.
Whilst you would not think or leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is surprising and a shame the amount of people who do this to their pets. This can murder an animal, temperatures in the sun, can swiftly rise to more than 100 degrees. Leaving the window slightly ajar, does not help that much.
Just like ourselves, with the same amount of activity, you need fewer calories to preserve your weight in the summer. If you, or your animal, keep consuming the same, you certainly will put on weight. Pet obesity is becoming more of an issue. Putting on weight in summer, will slow the pet down in winter and this can then lead to more weight gain, so think of reducing the intake of food, or as a minimum, keep an eye on your pets weight.
Also be careful 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 pet does not consume wet food within half an hour, through it away. Dry food is very safe, as long as it does not become wet. So if you have a slobbery pet, often and little should be the principle. Also be careful about condensation, or drops of water from the air conditioner.
Whilst exercising the dog during the hot weather, this may not have caused problems, nevertheless, he may suddenly want to leap into some water, with you if you are holding onto the lead. Perhaps more dangerous is the leap into a canal, if he is not on a leash. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, regularly you see people being pulled in! Not helped by them wanting to say hi to 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 choose a pet sitter, try to find a professional company such as London Pet Sitting, who vet and train their pet sitters. A professional pet sitter, will even check out all the risks as part of their contract. Pet Sitting is often the best option for the animal, they prefer to be in their house. If not, and you must board them, check the kennels out. Ideally a personal recommendation, as in everything there can be good and pitable. The pet may not like it, but they are safe.
What about taking your pet on vacation with the family. This is the most risky choice for a pet. Prepare and plan well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The journey in the automobile is dangerous for us as well. Think about using a pet restraint, you wear one, for obvious reason, so ensure your pet has one. The danger of dehydration, so stop for water stops for you and your pet every hour, perhaps a bit longer if you have air conditioning on. Be particularly vigilant on the stops, look out for traffic movement, and the animal may want to take a runner (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 greatest one is running away, especially in motels, straight out onto a main 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 motel, if lost, its not as likely as if they were at home and the neighbours know them. 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, problem free holiday.
