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Be Cool...Protect Your Pet
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1. Whether inside or outside, summer or winter, always keep a bowl of fresh water available for your pet. Make sure the bowl is scrubbed out or washed at least twice a week.
2. In extreme heat, either bring your pet inside, or make sure he has adequate shade and shelter if bringing him in is impossible.
3. An animal left in a car on a warm day can collapse or die from heatstroke in just minutes. NEVER leave a dog or cat unattended in a locked car for long periods of time. If you have your dog with you, and you MUST stop even if only for a moment, make sure the windows are down far enough for him to stick his head out for air. However, it is safer just to leave the dog at home or make that stop when he is not with you.
4. If you take your dog jogging or bike riding with you, remember he is essentially barefooted and the hot pavement can severely blister tender pads. If the sidewalk is hot enough to fry an egg on, it can fry feet as well.
5. Dogs with dark coats such as Rotweilers or German Shepherds are a bit more prone to heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion, because dark colors absorb and hold heat more than light colors. Take special care never to exercise a dark coated dog in the heat of the day unless he has access to a lot of cool water, and takes frequent breaks. If you can't decide if your dog is dark-coated, err on the side of safety and put off exercising until it cools down.
And as always, if you notice even the slightest change in your pet's behavior, take him to your regular veterinarian immediately, or contact the animal emergency clinic if there is no one available in your area. Many times seconds can make the difference between life and death.
Winter brings other important challenges to caring for a pet, especially adequate shelter. While most pets are allowed indoors, ferals, strays, and others must brave the elements. Hard Freezes can be deadly. During winter's frigid conditions, outdoor pets require additional care.
The first step is to provide a warm, dry shelter. THINK SMALL! While you might feel your pet needs a roomier shelter, remember - their body heat is providing the only warmth, so small and cozy is the key. Insulation is a must, seams should be caulked to avoid dampness, and you should be able to change out bedding easily, as it will have a tendency to become wet in winter conditions.
Pets will require extra rations of food, and should be fed more frequently, at least twice a day. Their bodies are burning a lot of fuel right now just to keep them warm. Be cautious of canned food, which will freeze easily, and be sure to replenish water supplies throughout the day.
Use caution when starting vehicles. Cats love to curl up near warm engines, so get in the habit of honking the horn and waiting a few moments before starting the motor.
No matter what time of year, stay in tune with the changing seasons and how it reflects on your animal's needs.
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