Summer Pet Care: Water Equals Life

Most people still think it will cause no harm to their pet to be left inside of a vehicle as long as the windows are cracked open. The reality of this is that even if the windows are open, your pet could still not be getting enough fresh oxygen into their lungs causing them to become drowsy, or even worse. Never leave your pet inside of your vehicle during the day or even at night. In some states, such as Florida and Arizona, temperatures do not cool off much at all during the evening times. This heat coupled with little, or no, breeze is enough to make anyone feel a bit under the weather. The dangers of a pet overheating due to extreme temperatures outside could be nausea, fainting, or even death. Signs to look for include dizziness, excessive panting, or refusal to walk or even to move.

Most importantly during the summer, fresh and clean water should always be available to your pet no matter when and where they are. Letting your dog drink out of a ditch or pond can cause them to become sick and also dehydrated. Lots of pond water and water from retention ditches has microorganisms living in it that can make your pet violently ill. My Doberman Pinscher used to drink out of my outdoor Koi pond and she developed a bacterial infection that had to be remedied by antibiotics and a trip to the Veterinarian. If you are worried your pet may have come into contact with come kind of infection then look for symptoms like an unusually upset stomach, including vomiting and diarrhea, or even lack of appetite on a pet with a normally healthy appetite.

Any trip you make with your pet should always be planned for in advance; pack for them just like you would for yourself, or a child. Water is sometimes a big issue, so you should consider buying a cheap and extra large pet bowl to keep in your pets going-out bag. At home I use tap water, filtered when possible, so that any bacteria or microorganisms are removed and the water is left pure. An on-the-go alternative is bottled water.. Always bring along an extra bottle of water or two for your pet when you get yourself a bottle. When you're on your way out the door with your pet, make it a habit to stop by the refrigerator first for the all-too-essential bottles of water.

A small roll of paper towels, but preferably a wash cloth (or hand towel depending on the size of your pet) should be packed in your pets to-go bag. In case of extreme heat exposure or possible heat stroke these cloths and towels can be wet with a bottle of water and placed onto your pet to cool them down. If available, place each towel in the direct air flow of an air conditioner or fan before placing the towel on your pet. Read their body language and any signals your pet gives you. If they struggle to get away then respect their wishes and do not force them to comply. Any extra stress could cause further panic and damage to your precious little friend.

Not only should the safety and well-being of your pet be taken into consideration, but any good pet owner will go beyond those steps to ensure that their pet is happy and comfortable as well. No chances should ever be taken when it comes to the life of your pet - they depend on you completely, so don't let them down.