With every wet kiss and adorable look, there’s no denying that our pets are beloved members of the family. As with everyone we love, we want to keep our pets safe and healthy in every season and under every circumstance. Yet even the most well-meaning pet owners aren’t always aware of safety hazards that exist for our pets on an everyday basis. The following are tips to help keep your pets safe this summer and beyond. 

1. Plants

Household plants beautify our homes and allow us to bring a little bit of nature inside. While many plants are fine for animals to be around, others can cause extremely harmful effects in animals causing everything from nausea, vomiting, and painful intestinal irritation to even death. Some of the most popular household plants to keep away from your pets include: Aloe, Lilies, Poinsettias, and Azaleas.

2. Dehydration & Heat Stroke 

During the dog days of summer, dehydration and heat stroke are potential threats that can take an animal’s life. Always make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, clean water – whether it’s summer or winter. If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer with your pet, carry a portable water bowl with you and make sure you check on your pet for signs of heat exhaustion, stress and heat stroke.

3. Sidewalks

If you’ve ever walked on the pavement with bare feet in the summertime, you know just how hot the sidewalk can get. Keep in mind that if it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your pets’ paws! Instead of walking on the pavement or asphalt, stick to dirt trails or the grass. Similarly, in the winter when the sidewalks are covered with ice and salt, stick to snowy paths and lawns. 

4. Human Food

We all know not to give in to our begging pet but those huge eyes and sweet face are sometimes just too irresistible. Sure, some foods are fine once in a while, however foods often found during summer BBQs such as corn on the cob, fruits with pits, food with bones, chocolate, and dairy are absolutely not okay to give your pet. In most cases the foods will cause stomach irritation, while in other cases an allergic reaction. Excessive consumption of some foods can have very serious, even deadly consequences. 

5. Leaving Your Pet in a Hot Car

When it’s 90 degrees out, most pet owners would never think of leaving their pet in a hot car. However, what about when it’s 60 or 70 degrees? Some might consider it to be fine as long as the windows are left down. The truth is, it is still extremely dangerous. Cars can heat up 20 to 30 degrees warmer than the temperature outside. Any animal left inside (yes, even with the windows down) is subject to overheating in a matter of minutes. Never leave your pet in a hot car. It is also important to remember that a cold car in the winter can have the same scary outcome. 

6. Traveling

Most dogs love to go for a ride in the car. The excitement of a seeing the world with the windows down and the air in their faces is one of life’s greatest joys for them. Yet all too often pet owners push the limits and let their pet stick their heads out the window too far which can cause harm to ears and eyes, or even risk our beloved companions falling out the window. Never let your dog stick his head very far out the window and never drive with him on the bed of your truck. 

7. Insect bites

Pet owners most often think of fleas and ticks when they think of insect bites, however pets can very easily get stung by wasps and bees. Some curious dogs and cats have even been known to eat bees. If your pet gets stung by a bee or wasp, watch for swelling. To keep your pet safe, always check your pet once a day for ticks and signs of other pests and thoroughly again after long walks through wooded areas. Ask a veterinarian for the best preventative treatment for the pests specific to your area and make sure that you get the dosage that is correct for your animal’s weight. 

At Positive Impressions, every member of our team is an animal lover at heart. An important part of our mission is to support Veterinary Clinics and Animal Hospitals by offering a variety of thoughtful products, including reminder cards and sympathy cards , as well as labels & stickers . As pet owners, keeping our pets safe is our number one priority. By being aware of hidden dangers that can affect your pet’s health, you can prevent injury and keep your pet healthy for many years to come!