Monthly Archives: June 2013

Pets and Fireworks

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      We have a holiday week coming up and many of you may be getting an early start on things by taking next week off.  While time off, cookouts and swimming trips may be a lot of fun for you; the week of July 4th can be very stressful on your pets, Imageespecially your dogs.  In my last blog post I talked about ways to keep your dog safe in the sun and heat of summer.  In addition to the heat and sun of Independence Day, many dogs are afraid of fireworks.  More dogs are lost around the 4th of July than any other time of the year.  People leave their dogs unattended in the back yard, and when the dogs hear the explosions, they get spooked, jump the fence and run off. 

      Most of the dogs that are affected by the fireworks are also scared of thunderstorms.  If your dog is anxious and nervous during thunderstorms, you can handle the fireworks situation in much the same way you do thunderstorms.  I talked to Xalina Babunovic, an animal behaviorist at the Dog School 101 in Marietta.  She said if you crate your dog during storms you should crate him when there are fireworks going off.  ImageAlso if you are leaving your dog alone and it’s usually crated when you are gone, crate it when you leave.  Regardless of if the dog is left crated, she advises you to leave some sort of loud background noise on, like music or the TV.   The room should be kept dark as well.  If you use a thundershirt, go ahead and put it on the dog.  Xalina doesn’t recommend leaving the pet with the thundershirt  on because if the dog get agitated it may try and get out of the shirt

     If you haven’t tried a thundershirt for your pet you can find information here.  I’ve also linked a video that shows how easy it is to put them on. 

    It’s best if you will be at home to be with your pet.  Having you in the room will help put your pet at ease as well.  If you’re playing with it, that may be able to keep it distracted and it won’t focus as much on the fireworks. Image

     Another thing to remember if you are hosting a cook out and animals will be around is that you want to make sure the food is kept away from the animals, and any alcoholic beverages. 

     Make sure to have your pet’s chip information handy. In case it does get away, you’ll be able to identify it quickly.  I know most people have plenty of pictures of their pets, but you want to make sure you have a good one that shows its face and could be used on social media or flyers around the neighborhood.  Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with that situation, but you must be prepared.  Hopefully your preparations and responsible actions will mean a 4th of July holiday that will be enjoyed by everyone, your family, your friends, and most of all your pets.   Here is a link that the ASPCA provides on things to help ensure your pets have a happy and safe 4th of July.

   Fetch! Pet Care provides pet sitting, dog walking and cat care services for Roswell, East Cobb, Marietta and Woodstock, GA.  You can see the happy pets by following us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/fetchnwatlanta/  

 

    

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Summer and Your Pets

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 Today is the Summer Solstice and that means it’s the longest day of the year, but also the official beginning of summer.  If you live in the South, it’s already been hot, when it hasn’t been raining, so today just means it won’t be dark until after 9.  ImageYou’re used to the heat.  I thought this would be a good time for a reminder of some things to do to provide the best pet care for your dogs and cats this summer.

    Many of these are things you’ve heard before and are fairly common sense.  I hope I don’t have to tell you not to leave your pet in a car, ever, especially not now, even if the windows are down.  It’s too hot, even if it’s cloudy.  Even if it’s just for a second – don’t do it.   Try and avoid longer walks in the middle of the day.  ImageDo them in the morning or evening when it’s cooler and the sun isn’t as high.  Make sure they have plenty of clean, cool water.  Your pet supply shop or outdoor store should have a portable water bowl.  Make sure you take plenty of water, for you and the dog. 

     If they stay outside, make sure they have an area to be out of the sun.  Be careful with their paws on asphalt as well.  If that’s too hot for them, they will usually let you know.  Panting is normal for dogs.  That’s how they cool off.  If you have a dog that has a shorter snoot, it’s harder for them to breathe when they are very hot or tired.  Be sure and keep an eye on them and make sure they are okay, especially if you are going to be leaving them alone.  If you hear your dog making funny noises like wheezing or something, it may mean they are not getting enough air.  In that case cut the exercise short and get it to a vet. 

    Another thing to be careful of with your pets, especially dogs, is sunburn.  Pets can get sunburned.  Puppies, light colored dogs and dogs with shorter hair are Imagemore susceptible.  So that haircut you’ve gotten your dog, thinking that will keep them cooler, may put them at risk for sunburn.  The nose, ears, belly and groin are more likely to get sunburned because there is less hair there.  You shouldn’t be surprised that there is a pet sunscreen available.  Most people don’t recommend using the sunscreen you would use because it could contain toxins that they may lick off.  Check with your vet about what they think is best.

    The summer is a time for fun in the sun and it’s even more fun when the pets are included in the activities.  Just take a little time to prepare for the heat and the sun and you and your pets can make the most of the extra hours of sunlight!  

   Fetch! Pet Care provides pet sitting, dog walking and cat care services for Roswell, East Cobb, Marietta and Woodstock, GA.  You can see the happy pets by following us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/fetchnwatlanta/