Helpful Information for You and Your Pet this Summer

It's that time of year again! The flowers are blooming, trees are green, and there are plenty of activities for you to do outside with your pet. Summer is one of the best times of the year! It is also a time when your pet can get injured or sick. Follow the reminders below, so that you and your pet can have the most awesome and safest summer yet.

Heartworm

Although your pet can get heartworm disease year-round, mosquitoes are most prevalent in the summer. Mosquitoes are the ones that carry the disease and can infect your dog. Your dog should already be on heartworm preventative, but double check with the vet to make sure it is current.

Hot Pavement

Summer is the best time to spend with your dog, whether you are out taking a walk or playing fetch at the park. While it's great for your pet to be outside, be cautious of hot pavement. It is usually 10-15 degrees hotter than the temperature outside and can burn the pads on your dog's paws. If you need to walk on pavement with your dog, consider doggy booties for their paws. You can find them at your local pet store.

Leaving Pets in Hot Cars

NEVER leave your pet in a hot car, even if it's in the shade. You may have a quick, 10-minute errand at the store, but that's enough time for your pet to get overheated. A car on a 90-degree day is actually close to 105 degrees. There have been several cases of dogs left in hot cars that have died while their owners are absent. If you want to take your dog on a car ride, make sure the A/C is on full blast. If you are comfortable, your pet will likely be comfortable. Also, if you see a dog in a hot car unattended, please notify animal control.

Reptiles and the Sun

It is important for your reptile to have time in the sun. Reptiles use UVB rays from the sun to make Vitamin D, which keeps them healthy. If you can, let your reptile bask in the sun when the temperatures are over 70 degrees. Make sure to provide plenty of water and shade.

Hiking with Your Dog

It's always fun to take your dog hiking in the summertime. Make sure you bring plenty of water for him/her and let him/her rest in the shade, so he/she doesn't get overheated. Watch for rattlesnakes as well. Dogs are more likely to get bit by rattlesnakes than humans. If your dog does get bit, take him/her to the veterinarian immediately for the anti-venom injection.

Have a wonderful summer and remember these helpful tips to keep your pet happy and safe!

10 Ways to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy

Let's face it. Our pets are our babies! We would do anything for them, including keeping them healthy and happy.

Here are 10 ways to keep your pet healthy and happy:

1. Spay/Neuter
2. Good Diet
3. Exercise
4. Clean/Proper Habitat
5. Vet Visits
6. Regular Dentals
7. Vaccinations
8. Parasites Preventative
9. Avoid Harmful Foods
10. Give Attention and Love

Spay/Neuter
Despite keeping down the pet population, spaying and neutering your pet can provide health and behavior benefits. In female dogs, spaying decreases the risk of pyometra and some forms of cancer, a diseases which can be deadly. Males are usually less aggressive and spraying is minimal after being neutered.

Diet
Keeping your pet on a proper diet can help prevent health problems and maintain a good weight. We see multiple overweight animals that have major health problems, some of which can be remedied by a healthy diet. Birds especially need to be on a healthy diet, as a majority of the diseases they get are a result of eating poorly.

Exercise
Just like a healthy diet, exercise can help control weight gain and lessen the chance of getting illnesses, such as heart disease. Just 20 minutes of walking each day can keep your pet in good shape. Some breeds, such as border collies, require much more exercise to stay healthy.

Clean/Proper Habitat
Pets need to have a clean and safe place to live. It is important for cats to have clean litter boxes. Reptiles require cages large enough to be safe and comfortable. Before obtaining a pet, find out what is needed for proper housing.

Vet Visit
Seeing the vet on a regular basis keeps your pet healthy. Birds that regularly see a vet and have blood work done can help detect illness before it gets too bad. Dogs and cats require routine vaccines that protect against harmful diseases.

Regular Dentals
Cats and dogs that have routine professional teeth cleanings are less likely to get periodontal disease, which can affect more than just the teeth and mouth. It can harm the liver, heart and kidneys.

Vaccinations
By keeping your pets up to date on their vaccines, you are helping to eliminate them getting harmful diseases. It may seem like a hassle to get them vaccinated, but in the long run you are keeping them healthy and safe.

Parasites Preventative
You've probably heard us talk about heartworm preventative and how it can prevent a deadly disease. It is important for your dog to receive a heartworm preventative injection every six months. By doing this, you are lessening the chance of him/her getting heartworm disease.  It is also important to prevent internal and external parasites, which can be done along with heartworm prevention.

Avoid Harmful Foods
Admit it. You want to feed your pet table scraps. It seems so innocent, feeding them what you are putting in your mouth. However, animals require a strict diet to keep them healthy. Birds can get sick if they have too much fat in their diet. Dogs can be harmed if they ingest harmful foods such as grapes and chocolate. Be sure to speak to the vet about what is good to feed your pet.

Give Attention and Love
This is self-explanatory. Your pet loves you and deserves your love and attention. Give them plenty TLC every single day!