Never Take the Health of an Indoor Cat for Granted

Love Your Pets: 3 Tips To Protect Your Furry Friends This Summer

Now that summer is just about here, it's time to start thinking about your pets. Summer carries with it many potential hazards for your furry friends, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors. To make sure your pets are safe this summer, here are three simple steps you should take.

Provide Plenty of Shade and Water

If your pets are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors this summer, you need to make sure they have plenty of shade and water. First, set up an area in the backyard that's reserved for your pet. Place a comfortable bed under a cool tree or large bush. Second, place several bowls of water throughout the yard. Third, place one bowl under an outdoor water spigot and turn the spigot on to a very slow drip. The drip will allow the water to be replenished through the day. If you have a pet door, be sure the access is unobstructed. This will ensure that your pet is able to get inside whenever it wants to.

Prevent Poisonings

Once the weather warms up, you'll be doing yard work and tending to your pool, if you have one. That means you'll have garden and pool chemicals on hand. To prevent poisonings, make sure your chemicals are closed tightly and stored in an area away from your pets. Any chemical spills should be cleaned up immediately, especially if you have curious pets that like to taste new things. If your pet happens to come in contact with household chemicals this summer, you should contact your emergency veterinarian as soon as possible. Be sure to have a list of the chemicals your pet may have ingested. This will help your veterinarian identify the appropriate treatment plan for your pet.

Look Before You Leave

Pets love to look for cool places to sleep during the summer—especially cats. If your pets have access to the front yard or other areas where cars may be parked, always look before you leave. Check under the car and behind the wheels to make sure your pets aren't asleep there. If you have cats, you should also look inside the wheel wells. This will help prevent accidents from happening. If you have house guests during the summer, remind them to look before they leave, as well.

If you have pets, make sure they're protected this summer. Use the tips provided here to prevent accidents and injuries. Talk to your local veterinarian about other ways to protect your pets this summer.