Summer Pet Care Tips
Longer days, more sunshine and good times are imminent as we begin to welcome in the season that reminds us all to come alive…With all of the good the Summer season brings, Texans know it also means we will soon also usher in triple digit days that necessitate submerging ourselves in various bodies of water daily and being mindful of the warnings that are associated with the dog days of summer.
With this top of mind, we chatted with two local pet-care companies, Alpha Luxury Pet Grooming and Camp Bow Wow about how to care for the furry members of our families this Summer.
TOP TIPS
- Grooming Matters! Alpha Luxury Pet Grooming recommends keeping your dog’s coat well-groomed, especially in the Summer months! Regular brushing helps remove loose fur and prevents matting, allowing for better airflow and keeping your pup comfortable. Regular brushing for your feline friends will also help them stay as cool as possible.
- Opt for a shorter haircut! And for double coated breeds, thorough de-shed treatments. Trimming and cleaning your dog’s fur can help prevent overheating and reduce the risk of tangles or hotspots. Book a Grooming Appointment at Alpha Luxury Pet Grooming today to get ahead of the heat.
- Hydration is key! Provide fresh water at all times and consider using a pet-friendly water fountain for extra fun hydration. Hydration is a major component of preventing any sort of heat-related injury for your pet.
- Avoid long walks during the hottest hours of the day. Opt for early morning or late evening strolls when it’s cooler and let’s protect those paws, says Alpha Luxury Pet Grooming. Both experts agree the pavement can get scorching hot, so try to walk your pets on grassy areas or invest in booties to keep their paws safe.
- Unsure if it’s too hot to trot? Camp Bow Wow generously shared their 7-second rule. RULE: If you place your hand on the pavement and it’s too hot to hold it there for 7 seconds, it’s too hot for your pet to walk. If the temperature is over 100 degrees outside, the asphalt could be greater than 160 degrees at any given time. That is DANGEROUS.
- Keep your feline friends away from hot surfaces like sun-drenched windowsills or hot pavements. Cats’ paws are sensitive, so provide alternatives like cool tiles or indoor grass patches.
- Stylish shades for your pets? Absolutely! Consider getting pet-friendly sunglasses or visors to protect their sensitive eyes from harmful UV rays. And be sure to tag us in that cute photo if your furry friend is willing.
- Do NOT leave your dog in a car alone. Many states, including Texas, have laws against this. If you do see an animal in a car on a hot day, call 911 and plan to stay until help arrives! If you need to run errands or will be out at sporting fields, or in the hot sun for an extended period of time, leave your pets at home or drop them at Camp Bow Wow for Dog Day Care.
- If you are traveling, ensure your dog is somewhere where these precautions will be taken. Camp Bow Wow offers a boarding service that pampers your pups while you’re away, even including a live camper camera, giving you peace of mind.
- Know the signs of a heat stroke! Camp Bow Wow is generously sharing an extensive list below of how to identify and then react if you believe your animal is suffering from a heat stroke.
HEAT STROKE INFORMATION, COURTESY OF CAMP BOW WOW:
Signs of heatstroke include:
• Excessive drooling (may be thick or gray in color)
• Heavy panting
• Rapid breathing
• Bright red gums and tongue
• Elevated heart rate
• Difficulty balancing (may stagger or wobble)
If you are concerned that a dog is suffering from the heat:
• Get the dog to a cool, shaded area
• Wet towels with cool water and drape over the dog (do NOT use ice) or pour cool water over the dog, constantly refreshing the towel
• Allow small sips of cool water
• Transport to the closest veterinary hospital
Prevention is key! Heatstroke is often deadly. While understanding the signs of heatstroke and how to respond, taking steps to prevent it from occurring is best.
If reading about furry friends makes you want to adopt one of your own, we can’t recommend our friends at MASA enough. MASA, which stands for Midland Animal Shelter Adoptables is a 501c3 non-profit organization in the Midland area that dedicates their time, resources, money, homes and hearts to saving abandoned animals, getting them fully vetted, and networking them in order to find them forever homes. See their Facebook page here where they update available animals, or donate today.
From Alpha Luxury Pet Grooming and Camp Bow Wow, to MASA, we are grateful to have caring and educated experts in West Texas alongside us to share about all things pet care. This Summer, be sure to tap them both for your grooming, boarding and training needs – and don’t forget to tell them The Scout Guide West Texas sent you!
