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Humane
Society of the United States Offers Tips to Protect Pets During
Summer Months
Release
provided by The Humane Society of the United States
Washington
- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) urges
pet owners to protect their companions during the high temperatures
that characterize the summer months.
"Summer
is a time when we all relax, but pet owners need to be even
more vigilant about caring for their companions since the
summertime fun can spell disaster for dogs, cats and other
companion animals," said Martha Armstrong, vice president
for companion animals and equine protection for The HSUS.
The HSUS
offers tips for pet owners to keep their furry friends safe
this summer:
- Don’t
leave pets in parked cars. Every summer, animals left in
parked cars suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke.
Even with the windows cracked, the temperature in a parked
car can quickly rise to dangerous levels. Dogs can’t
sweat and can only dispel heat by panting and through the
pads on their feet. If you see a dog in a parked car during
the summer, alert the management of the shopping mall or
grocery store. If the owner does not return promptly, call
local animal control or the police.
- It
is also very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to place
dogs in the back of pick-up trucks. Flying debris can cause
serious injury and a dog may be unintentionally thrown from
the truck into traffic.
- Dog
bites rise during the summer months when we all spend more
time outside. Spaying and neutering reduce the likelihood
that your dog will bite and provide many other health benefits.
- Pets
and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools
and always supervise a pet in a pool.
- Provide
plenty of water and shade for pets to give them the opportunity
to keep cool.
- Pets
need exercise even when it is hot but extra care needs to
be taken with older dogs and short-nosed dogs. On very hot
days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours.
Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can injure your
pet’s feet.
- Another
summertime threat is fleas. New treatments to prevent and
treat fleas are available from your veterinarian and are
safe and effective for preventing flea infestations on your
pet, in your home, and in your yard.
- Fair-haired
pets may require sunscreen on their noses and ear tips to
prevent sunburn and skin cancer.
- Don’t
take pets to July 4th festivities and other fireworks displays.
The lights and loud noises that thrill people are frightening
to pets. They may try to escape or may even act aggressively
out of fear.
For
more information on summertime pet care, visit The HSUS’s
website at www.hsus.org.
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