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WGRZ.com Northtowns Pet Blog: Cool Summers for Pets July 19, 2011
http://amherst.wgrz.com/news/pets/northtowns-pet-blog-cool-summers-pets/57385
Protect Dogs, Cats, Birds and Exotics from the Heat
After a long winter and a spring thaw, we’re eager to get back out into the sunshine and enjoy the long days and warm nights with neighbors, friends and family. And for many of us, “family” includes our pets.
In fact, including your pets in your summer activities is healthy fun for everyone. But when the summer heat and humidity start to rise, it’s important to understand how pets are affected by the spike in temperature and take the necessary precautions to keep them cool and comfortable.
H2O is a Pet’s Best Friend
Unlike humans, dogs and cats have few sweat glands, which hinder them from cooling off by sweating. Instead, they lose heat and moisture from their tongues by panting. This water loss needs to be replaced, so it’s important to keep some fresh drinking water available at all times. This is especially important when you take them out for long summer walks or car rides.
Don’t Park Your Pet
Never leave your pet alone in a parked car, not even for a few minutes. The air in a parked car doesn’t circulate and, even in the shade, the temperature in a vehicle will start to rise and become life threatening in just a few minutes.
Rules for Pools
Getting together at your backyard pool to swim, have fun and cool off is a great summertime tradition. But the pool can be dangerous for adults, children and pets unless safety is observed at all times.
You should always be cautious when your pets are in or around the pool, especially if they’re older and can’t get in and out of the pool as easily as they used to. Some manufacturers produce ramps to allow pets an easy escape from an accidental fall into the water.
Block That Sun
It may be surprising to learn that pets with light-colored skin and hair can get sunburned. In fact, extensive time in the sun can even result in skin cancer. If you are going to be in a situation where your pet will be spending a long time outside on a hot, sunny day, talk to your veterinarian about using specially developed sun block for pets on unprotected areas like the nose and ears.
Make Some Shade
If you keep your pet outside, be mindful of the fact that a cool spot in the morning can turn scorching hot by mid-afternoon. Be sure to always have a comfortable, sheltered area available that they can retreat to for their rest. A kiddie pool in the shade can provide relief on those scorching summer days.
Summer can be a particularly difficult time because overweight dogs and cats can overheat faster as extra layers of fat act as insulation, trapping heat and restricting breathing.
Grooming is Cool
Common sense would lead you to believe that animals with longer hair would be cooler in the summer if you gave them a “haircut”. However, just as a pet’s coat insulates against cold, it also insulates against heat. Be sure to brush your pet’s hair regularly to get rid of mats and tangles and remove loose undercoat. The more you brush, the more the hair “breathes”.
It’s a Breed Thing
Yes, it’s true. All breeds are not alike and some, because of their nature, can have a more difficult time in the summer than others. Flat-nosed breeds such as Pekingese, Pugs and Bulldogs, for example, have a harder time staying cool than long-nosed dogs because their shortened nose and oral cavities don’t allow them to breathe as efficiently. Learn more about your pet’s particular needs by talking to your veterinarian.
A Weighty Problem
Studies show that between 25 and 40 percent of all household pets in the U.S. are overweight or obese. In fact, according to VPI Pet Insurance’s actuarial data, this trend is leading to a steady rise in obesity-related pet illnesses such as diabetes mellitus. Obesity is also known to be associated with, or can exacerbate, a variety of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.
Now, what does this mean with regard to the summer season? Well, summer can be a particularly difficult time of year because, as with humans, overweight dogs and cats can overheat faster because the extra layers of fat act as insulation, trapping heat and restricting breathing. If your pet is overweight, it’s important that you talk to your veterinarian before taking your pet on any outdoor activities you may be planning.
High Noon is No Time for Exercising
If you’re used to taking your dog for a walk during mid-day, it would be wise to change your schedule during summer to early morning or late afternoon walks with fresh water always at hand. Hot pavement can burn a dog’s pads, and walking outdoors during the hottest time of the day can lead to heat stress. After the summer is over, feel free to return to your usual schedule.
Keep the Bugs Off
The warm weather, longer days and summer fun keep us and our pets outdoors more often, increasing our chances of running into those pesky fleas and mosquitoes. Fleas and mosquitoes can transmit a number of diseases including tapeworm, heartworm and even West Nile Virus. During the summer months, be sure your dog or cat is tested for heartworm and that you’re using veterinarian-recommended flea and heartworm preventive products.
Avian Advantage
Birds handle heat better than dogs and cats because their normal body temperature ranges from 104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. However, lacking sweat glands, any increase in body temperature can cause heat exhaustion. Make sure cages are kept away from direct sunlight and that there’s a fresh supply of drinking water available. As a special treat for your feathered friend, get out your spray bottle, fill it with water and give him a spritz.
Rabbits and Ferrets
If you can’t cool your home during the hottest part of the day, wrap a 2-liter plastic bottle in a towel and place it in the cage in the morning. This way, your rabbit or ferret can lie next to the chilled bottle to cool off.
Guinea Pig Habitat
If you’re going to move your guinea pig’s hutch outdoors for the summer (as some folks do), be sure the hutch is made of small wire mesh to keep out unwanted visitors like mice, foxes, coyotes and the neighbor’s dog or cat.
So sit back, sip some lemonade and read over these safety tips so you can give your pets the coolest summer ever!
Laura Stauffiger is the proprietor of Laura’s Critter Care, an in your home pet sitting and dog walking service in Amherst, and a member of Pet Sitters International and PetSitUSA. For more information visit her website or send an Email.
Article is from petinsurance.com
Monday, July 4, 2011
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Meet Reagan
I start taking care of Reagan next week. I am looking forward to walking this little cutie. Reagan is just a few weeks old.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Fido in Fiji and Hairballs in the Hamptons: Featured on wnywoman.com
Fido in Fiji and Hairballs in the Hamptons
By Laura Stauffiger
Summer travel season is approaching and a recent survey reveals that consumers plan to spend the same or more on travel this year as they did in 2010. According to Travel Leaders, one of America’s top-ranked travel companies, more than 88 percent of us will equal or increase last year’s travel budget. With 62 percent of households owning one or more pets, “What shall we do with the cat and dog?” is now a common question on the checklist of many travelers. Laura’s Critter Care, members of Pet Sitters International (PSI), offers these tips to help pet owners consider the family pets in their travel planning.
Carefully consider if your pets should stay or go
According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 14 percent of all U.S. adults (29.1 million) say they have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more. If you are thinking about traveling with the family pet, closely consider your travel plans, lodging accommodations and trip agenda. If you are traveling in a personal vehicle, taking your pet has fewer implications, but be sure to verify that your hotel, resort or campground is pet friendly.
If your lodging accommodations allow pets, there’s more involved than just checking your furry family member in at the front desk. Hotels impose restrictions that can include the size and number of pets, expensive non-refundable pet fees and rules against pets being left unattended in hotel rooms. Be sure to confirm all pet restrictions before making reservations. Also ensure that the tourist attractions, amusement parks and restaurants you plan to visit are pet friendly. If not, you will need to make special arrangements for your pet.
Consider your pet’s health. Has your pet had a recent veterinary check-up? Does your pet’s age or physical condition make him an ideal candidate for travel? If not, consider finding care for your pet at home while you travel.
If Fido’s flying, plan ahead!
Keep in mind that buses, trains and cruise ships do not typically allow pets. Most airlines allow pets to travel in the cabin or as cargo. The ASPCA recommends that pet owners not fly their animals unless the pets are small enough to fit under the passenger seats. If you’ve already committed to transporting your pet on a commercial airline, the ASPCA offers a list of helpful tips for safe air travel with your pet.
If the pets don’t go, hire a pro.
The process of locating a quality caregiver for companion animals may seem daunting. PSI provides an Official Pet Sitter Locator, a ZIP code-driven search tool that enables pet owners to conduct criteria-based searches of nearly 7,500 professional pet-sitting businesses. Users can download a Pet Sitter Questionnaire and search the database for custom-tailored services ranging from daily dog walks to caring for pets with special needs. And pet owners can refine searches even further by specifying credentials such as bonding, liability insurance and pet first-aid training.
"There is no substitute for using the services of a pet-sitting professional," says Patti Moran, PSI president. "Friends, family and neighbors are not always the best solution for ensuring your pets are cared for while you're away, even for shorter weekend trips."
In addition to caring for pets, Laura’s Critter Care, also provides basic home-care services, such as bringing in the mail and alternating lights to give your home a lived-in look.
For pet owners traveling with their pets, Laura’s Critter Care can be a valuable resource for pet-care while visiting attractions or restaurants that are not pet friendly.
Whether Fido and Fluffy accompany you on the trip or stay in their home environment under the care of a professional pet sitter, planning ahead can ensure their safety, comfort and contentment. For more information on the advantages of hiring a professional pet sitter visit www.petsit.com or contact Courtney Klein, at courtneyklein@petsit.com
Thursday, April 21, 2011
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