With the summer season on the horizon, taking steps to protect your furry friend is crucial. When the temperature climbs, it's vital to know how to keep your cat or dog safe. At Best Care Animal Hospital, our team never wants to witness any local pets experiencing heat-related illnesses this summer. Read on to discover a few pet summer safety suggestions from a vet near Indian Trail.
Your pet may love car rides, but you should not leave them sitting in your car in hot weather. Home is the best place for them. It only takes 30 minutes for the interior of a car or truck to reach 120° when the outside temperature is 85°. Leaving a window cracked or parking your car in a shady area doesn't alleviate the issue. Leaving your car running with the air conditioning on high isn't wise, either. Even new vehicles can have mechanical problems, and it is possible for unattended pets to unintentionally turn off the air conditioner. Your pet could even accidentally shift the car out of park. Leaving a pet alone in a car is dangerous and can turn deadly in an instant. It just isn’t worth the risk.
Your dog or cat should always have free access to fresh, clean water. This is especially important during warm weather. Like people, your furry friend needs more hydration during the summer. Ensure that their water bowl at home is always full of clean water. Bring water with you when walking your dog, too..
The air temperature isn't the only thing you need to stress about in the summer. Paved surfaces get extremely hot, too, and can burn your pet's paws. Black asphalt is the worst offender and can be up to 60° hotter than the temperature of the air. Serious burns can occur within one minute of contact. We recommend avoiding pavement of all types as much as possible during the summer. If walking on paved surfaces is your only option, check the temperature with your hand before allowing your pet to walk on it. If you cannot comfortably keep your hand on it for at least ten seconds, your canine companion cannot walk on it without risking serious burns to their paws. Consider purchasing a pair of pet booties to protect your dog's paws when they have to walk on hot pavement.
People aren't the only ones who enjoy the summer season. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes (which carry heartworm) do, too. Making an appointment with a vet near Indian Trail is the safest and most effective means of keeping your pet up to date on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives.
Does your cat or dog need a vet near Indian Trail? If so, our compassionate team would love to help. Contact Best Care Animal Hospital now to schedule your furry friend's appointment.
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