Protect Your Pet In Livingston As Dog Days Of Summer Arrive: 12 Safety Tips

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The “dog days of summer” are here, Livingston.

The Livingston Health Department recently shared some pet safety tips for the summer months, reminding local residents to look after their furry friends when the thermometer starts soaring.

Here is some advice from the health department:

• Don’t leave your pet in a parked car, even with the windows rolled down or the air conditioner on. The temperature can reach 120°F inside a parked car in a short time. Consider leaving your pet home on hot days.
• Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink during the day.
• Keep your home cool for your pet by leaving the air conditioner on and shades closed. Keep in mind that a fan alone won’t keep your pet cool on really hot days.
• Make sure any open windows in your home have a secure screen; pets can escape outside through an unscreened window.
• Don’t leave your pet outdoors on high-temperature days. A doghouse can be just as hot as the inside of a parked car on really hot days.
• If you are having a barbecue, don’t feed your pet any of the food meant for your guests — it could make them sick. Remember that there are foods and spices that humans easily consume, but may make animals very ill or even be fatal to them.
• Take your dog for a walk or to exercise early in the morning before it gets too hot, or later in the day when it cools down.
• Avoid areas with asphalt or sand, which can hurt your pet’s paws on really hot days. Place the back of your hand on the surface for 10 seconds to determine how hot the asphalt or sand is; if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
• Not all dogs are good swimmers; don’t leave them unsupervised near water. If you take your pet on a boat, have them wear a flotation device.
• If you are going to a fireworks show, leave your pet at home. They can get scared by the noise of the fireworks.
• Keep lawn fertilizers and insecticides in a spot where your pet can’t reach them. Don’t let your pet on any area of grass that may have been treated with fertilizers or insecticides that could be harmful.
• Be on the lookout for symptoms that your pet may be overheating, such as excessive panting, glazed eyes, drooling, weakness, or collapse. If your pet is experiencing any symptoms, remove them from the heat, apply cool water on them using towels, give them water, and take them to the vet right away.

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