Soaring Into A Fun, And Safe, Summer
July is a time for outdoor adventures, barbecues, and fireworks, but it’s also a month filled with potential hazards for our furry family members. As pet owners, it’s crucial to be aware of the risks and take proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our pets during the summer festivities. Within our amazing Moore County community, these essential pet safety tips are even more pertinent as Fort Liberty joins in the mid-summer jubilee.
A Safe, Fun & Festive, Summer
Summertime festivities can be just as stressful to pets, as they are fun for their human counterparts. Thankfully, your pet care specialists at Your Pet Care Connection are here to provide you, and your furry family members, some essential tips to keep your pets safe and happy this July.
1. Fireworks and Loud Noises
Fireworks are a staple of July celebrations, but the loud noises can be terrifying for pets. Here are some tips, to help your furry-family members weather the cacophony of fireworks this July.
Create a Safe Space: Set up a quiet, comfortable area in your home where your pet can retreat during fireworks. Include their favorite toys and blankets to make it cozy.
White Noise: Use white noise machines or play calming music to help drown out the sound of fireworks. Classical music is a proven staple, and pet TV is a fantastic way to distract your pet from what else might be going on outside.
Stay Inside: Keep pets indoors during fireworks displays to prevent them from running away out of fear, or getting caught in the crossfire.
2. Heat Safety
The summer heat can be dangerous for pets, leading to heatstroke and dehydration. Remember these three key elements, to help eliminate heat concerns this summer.
- Hydration: Ensure your pets have access to plenty of fresh water at all times.
- Shade and Cool Areas: Provide shaded areas for pets to rest in when outside, and avoid walking them during the hottest parts of the day.
- Avoid Hot Pavement: Walk your dog on grass or dirt paths instead of hot pavement, which can burn their paw pads. Try the 10-second pavement test. If your hand is too hot within 10 seconds or less of touching the asphalt, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.
3. Safe Barbecues and Picnics
Barbecues and picnics are fun, but they can pose risks to your pets. From toxic foods, to burn risks, know what to watch out for around the house.
- Secure Food and Trash: Keep food and trash out of reach to prevent your pet from ingesting harmful foods or choking hazards.
- Avoid Toxic Foods: Be mindful of foods that are toxic to pets, such as onions, garlic, chocolate, and alcohol (just to name a few!).
- Watch the Grill: Ensure pets stay away from the grill, or any open flames, to avoid burns or accidents.
4. Water Safety
If you’re spending time near water, it’s important to consider your pet’s safety too. While “the doggy paddle” might seem like a commonplace tool in every dog’s preverbal toolbox, some pets might not be quite as adept at swimming. Just like people, pet’s can get tired, or panic. Always be sure to monitor, and followers these simple guidelines for a safe summer at the lake or pool:
- Supervise Swimming: Always supervise pets when they’re swimming in pools, lakes, or the ocean. Not all pets are strong swimmers.
- Life Jackets: Consider using a pet life jacket for added safety, especially if your pet is not a confident swimmer.
- Rinse Off: Rinse your pet with fresh water after swimming to remove chlorine, salt, or algae from their fur and skin.
5. Prevent Fleas and Ticks
July is prime time for fleas and ticks, which can cause serious health issues for pets. Ensuring that your pet is up to date on all essential vaccines also plays a crucial role in keeping your pet healthy and protected from summer pests and diseases. Keeping your pet’s vaccines updated is especially for our local Moore County pet parents, due to higher rates of lime/lepto in NC.
- Use Preventatives: Ensure your pet is on a vet-approved flea and tick preventative.
- Regular Checks: Perform regular checks for fleas and ticks, especially after outdoor activities.
- Keep Lawn Trimmed: Maintain your yard by keeping grass short and removing leaf litter, which can harbor ticks. (YPCC recommends simply utilizing a quality preventive, so you can allow your grasses to grow, and support our native wildlife!)
6. Travel Safety
If you’re traveling with your pet, take precautions to keep them safe on the road. Just like people, pet’s need to observe proper car safety. Whether it’s heat related, or in case of a car crash, make sure your furry family members stay well protected this holiday season.
- Secure Vehicle Transport: When traveling with your pet, use a pet seatbelt, carrier, or crate to keep your pet secure.
- Never Leave Pets in Car: Never leave your pet alone in a parked car, as temperatures can rise rapidly and become deadly.
- Plan for Breaks: Schedule regular breaks for your pet to stretch, hydrate, and relieve themselves. If you have a longer trip ahead of you, take the time to preemptively map out your trip around dog parks and other pet-safe stops along the way.
Professional Pet Services
If your schedule gets busy, or you have special plans, consider using professional pet services to ensure your pets receive the care they need.
- Pet Sitting: Your pet’s are always the most comfortable in their own home, and with the reliability of their daily routine. Ensure your pets are well-cared for, in the comfort of their own home while you’re away, by hiring a professional pet sitter.
- Dog Walking: Regular walks provide exercise and mental stimulation, helping to keep your dog happy and healthy. Not only does this help your pet stay happy and healthy, but also reduces the likelihood of your pet suffering from any anxiety while you’re away.
- Boarding: If traveling without your pet, choose a reputable boarding facility that offers a safe and engaging environment. Rember, do your homework. In-sitter-home boarding is not legal in NC, without a converted home setup and NC State issued kenneling license. If your pet is anxious, consider in-your-home pet care services as a safer, stress-free, alternative to boarding.
At Your Pet Care Connection LLC, we offer a range of professional pet care services to keep your furry family members safe and content during the summer months (and 365 days a year!). Whether it’s a midday walk or overnight pet care services, we’re here to provide the support you need to enjoy a worry-free July.
See how our small local pet care business can support you and your pets dog walking and vacation care needs. Give “Pinehurst’s Premier Pet Care Experts” a call today.