Summer and your Pet       by Kat Riegel

Hello and welcome to summer.  With temperatures on the rise, it is time to take a few extra precautions with yourself and your animal companions.  

Please be sure your pets, both indoors and outdoors, have plenty of fresh water available to them throughout the day.  If outdoor water bowls are in the sun, the water may heat up and not be cool and refreshing.  It can also grow algae.  

Be sure your pet’s water bowl is in an easy to reach place and in the shade.  While exercise is good for everyone, you may want to adjust your schedule to spend more of the exercise or play time in the morning or late afternoon early evening hours.  This will help prevent overheating and heat exhaustion.  

Be sure to keep plenty of water on hand.  Take an extra water bottle and a collapsible bowl along with you for your animal companion.  

If you and your animal will be out on hot pavement during the day, be sure to find a shady place for your animal to walk or sit.  The hot pavement can be uncomfortable to the feet.  

One last reminder, please do not leave your animals in a car this summer.  If you take your animal with you, be sure to bring them into wherever you go.  

If you cannot take your animal into a building with you, consider leaving him at home.

Temperatures rise very quickly in a hot car and animals can get overheated and die.  They cannot roll down a car window or open the door to get out.  

Cars can overheat and stall if the AC is left running for the animal.  If you wouldn’t leave your toddler or your grandparent in the car, don’t leave your animal friend.  You will both be much happier.