Dear Tiffani,
I am new to pet ownership, and am enjoying the company of my recently inherited kitty and dog. They love to come everywhere with me in the car. As the weather warms up, I was wondering if there are special things I should do during summertime. Both the dog and cat have long hair, should I get them shaved?
Signed, Novice Mama
Dear Novice,
Congratulations on your new family, I’m always glad to hear of people taking in pets that need a home. If your new pets are unaltered, I always let pet owners know about the importance of spaying and neutering since it enhances pets’ health, safety and good behavior. Also, make sure your new pets have a collar and identification tags with your current information (although some kitties take them off) and if you are in City Limits, they need to be registered.
As far as summertime tips, Montana’s extreme weather brings new animal care requirements with each season. In hot weather, animals need more water, so check their water bowls often. When they are outdoors pets need access to shade or shelter. Surprise! Pets can get sunburned too, and this may lead to skin cancer. Check with your veterinarian about how to prevent harmful sun exposure.
While pets always need exercise, on very hot days schedule playtime for early mornings or late evenings. When walking your dog, beware of hot asphalt – it can burn their paws – and take advantage of walks near cooling water, such as streams and ponds.
Perhaps the most serious summertime danger to pets is being left in a car on a hot day. Although you said your pets enjoy traveling with you in the car, if you plan on running errands – even very brief ones – leave them home on warm days. Most people do not know that your car can reach 120 degrees on hot days in a matter of minutes and cause serious brain damage or heat stroke to pets, even if the windows are open and you are parked in the shade. Dogs and cats can't perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet so they are unable to cool themselves the ways we can.
If you have a truck, you may be tempted to let your dog ride in the cooling air of the truck bed – but please don’t. It’s illegal in many states because it’s so dangerous; not just to the dogs, but to other drivers swerving to avoid your dog when it falls out of the truck. Dogs should ride either in the cab or in a secured crate in the bed of a truck.
Summertime is yard work season and can be dangerous to pets too. Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pets ingest them. Also, more than 700 plants can be harmful when consumed by animals. You can ask your local nursery, or do online research about harmful plants. Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian and talk with them about the life-threatening diseases these insects may carry.
4th of July parades, fireworks, summer thunder, and other loud noises can make dogs of any breed, age, or upbringing shake and cower in fear. These loud noises often cause animals that do not normally stray from home to run off in fear. You may want to pick up some “Rescue Remedy” or “Calms”; effective homeopathic remedies available at Health Food Stores, to relax your pet. During summertime celebrations, leave your pet at home unless they are extremely relaxed at loud crowed events, and it’s not a hot day.
Short summertime haircuts for pets are popular not just to keep the pets cool, but to keep burrs and mud to a minimum. However, check with your veterinarian or groomer about your particular pets’ coats. Often, purebreds’ coats are designed to insulate them during either hot or cold weather, so close shaving (expect for extreme hair matting) is not often recommended.
I know this is a great deal of information, but informed and pro-active pet owners often have fewer behavioral problems, lower veterinarian bills, and avoid tragic endings. So get out there and enjoy your new pets and Montana’s beautiful, all-too-brief summertime!
All the Best, Tiffani
Tiffani Zimmerman is the Behavior Specialist at the Stafford Animal Shelter. Email questions to her at behavioradvice@imt.net, call 406/222-1312, or read archived columns at www.staffordanimalshelter.org.