Summer is Time to Take Pet Precautions

Ahhhhhh, summertime.
Longer days. Warmer days. Fireflies at night. Fireworks on the Fourth. Barbecues and parties. Trips to the Shore.
The summer is in full gear and New Jersey residents are excited to finally be able to spend more time outdoors  — with their pets.
But before people do, online pet retailer MrChewy.com offers up these summer tips for pet owners to keep furry, four-legged friends happy, cool and safe this summer.

Keep it Cool
Don’t forget about Fluffy when you leave your apartment for the day or even on vacation. Pets can easily get overheated so keep your air conditioning on low and make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Lowering the shades will also help keep your home cool. And if you’re traveling to the Hamptons, don’t leave Fido in the car. When it's 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your car will hit 99 degrees in 10 minutes.

Water, Water Everywhere
To prevent dehydration and exhaustion, be sure to keep plenty of cool, fresh water available for all pets – especially the older ones! This goes for even shorter sidewalk strolls or festivals in the park. Wherever your pets are, let there be water. 

Paws up!
Rover loves walking the city but hot asphalt can quickly and easily put him in a lot of pain. Try to walk in parks when possible and stick to the shady side of the street. 

Bugs be Gone
Ticks, fleas and other bugs are not just for country dogs. Any grassy, tree-filled area can have them, so check Spot routinely and consider arming him with a repellent like Frontline, which is applied once a month.

Window watch
Summer is prime time for “High-Rise Syndrome,” with a huge increase in the number of cats falling out of apartment windows. During the warmer months, veterinarians at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital see approximately three to five cases a week. Falling short distances is especially dangerous to cats, so keep Tigger away from all unscreened open windows in warmer months.