Summer isn’t always just a walk in the park for our pets! We compiled a quick list of common dangers associated with the summertime.
Overheating
The skyrocketing temperatures can make the world a harsh place for our animals, especially for dogs, who can be very sensitive to the heat. Because dogs don’t have the convenient (albeit embarrassing and smelly) sweating mechanism that humans do to stay cool overheating can happen very suddenly for them. Luckily, there are some key signs of dog overheating to watch out for when taking your pup out of the A/C. Catching overheating early could literally save your dog’s life.
Watch out for:
- Heavy panting.
- Dry or pale gums.
- Increased drooling.
- Deep and rapid breathing.
Prevent these early signs of overheating from even happening by:
- Being careful not to overexert your dog when enjoying the day.
- Making sure your dog has a shady spot where they can rest.
- Having a lot of drinking water handy if your dog shows any of the above signs of overheating or overexertion.
- Putting cloths soaked in cold water around his paws, in his armpits and on his head and neck
Poisoning
If your dog loves to vacation with you and play on the ocean beach, you may want to keep an eye on them. Dogs don’t realize that salt water is dangerous, and excessive intake can result in severe hypernatremia, or salt poisoning. Help avoid the problem by carrying a fresh bottle of tap water and offering it to your pup frequently while they’re frolicking on the beach.
If you own a pool, be sure to keep your chemicals stored in a locked area, out of your dog’s reach. Algaecides and chlorine shock water treatment products are generally safe once these chemicals are diluted appropriately. However, many of the undiluted pool chemicals (like chlorine bleach tablets, etc.) are corrosive (they are bleach derivatives), and if ingested directly from the bucket or in tablet form, can cause severe ulcers in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, resulting in life-threatening punctures of the GI tract.
Most dogs can’t resist giving us a lick after we’ve applied a layer of sunscreen, but did you know sunscreen can be toxic to your pet if ingested in large amounts? Sunscreens contain a few potentially dangerous chemicals: PABA, zinc oxide, salicylic acid (aspirin), and laxatives. Massive PABA ingestion can result in severe gastroenteritis (an inflammation of the stomach and intestines), bone marrow changes, and even liver damage.
Fireworks and thunder storms
One in five pets goes missing after being scared by loud noises, so be sure to keep them in a safe, comforting and secure area at home. See our previous blog post on how to curb your pup’s thunderstorm anxiety.
