More on the summer heat

Here are a few tips for you to remember this summer:

Compliments of PSI:

Surviving the Dog Days of Summer

A little precaution will go a long way in helping your pets beat the heat

As the scorching days of summer descend upon us, Auntie Donna's Pet Nanny Services offers pet owners a few simple steps to help ensure "furkids" do not get too hot under the collar.

With the warmer temperatures, it’s inevitable that more time will be spent outside. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on your pets.

“More time is spent outside running around, often without the use of a leash,” said Dr. Louise Murray, DVM and director of medicine at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. “This leads to an increase in pets being hit by automobiles.”

Murray advises that with a little forethought, most pet-related emergencies that occur during the summer months can be avoided.

“During the warmer months, we also see an increase in injured animals as a result of ‘High-Rise Syndrome,’ which occurs when pets fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured,” Murray said. “Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions.

Auntie Donna's Pet Nanny Services recommend pet owners keep the following advice in mind this summer to help keep their pets safe:

• Keep dogs on a leash or confined by fence. Do not let dogs run loose even if they are usually well-behaved. Many dogs get hit by cars whose owners think they "do not need a leash."

• Many cats also get hit by cars. Be sure to keep cats indoors or confined with a specially-designed cat fence.

• Do not exercise dogs or allow them to exercise or play hard during very hot weather or the hottest part of day. Exercise your dogs in the early morning and evening.

• Do not let brachcephalic (short-nosed breeds, such as bulldogs or pugs) dogs over-exercise when it is hot outside.

• Dogs that have noisy breathing may have a medical condition. Have them examined by a vet and use caution with exercise in the heat.

• Make sure all windows have well-fitting screens.

Following these steps will help ensure that you and your pets beat the heat safely this summer.

Thank you for being on alert!