Summer Tips for You and Your Pet

With this very hot & humid weather we’ve been having here in Ohio, I couldn’t help but think of how our pets are handling the heat. Below you will find a few tips we have gathered to help you and your pets beat the heat!

Whoa! It’s Getting Really Hot in Here!

NEVER leave your pets alone in a car.

On an 80° day, the temperature inside a vehicle can skyrocket to 114° or more in a matter of minutes. Dark interiors can easily reach 200°!  Cracking the windows or parking in the shade won’t help. Pets can quickly suffer heat stroke, brain damage, or even die in a hot car! When running errands, please leave your pets at home where they’ll stay safe & cool.

For a demonstration on how fast a car can heat up, visit the National Weather Service’s Heat Safety page.

Know the Signs of Heat Stroke

If your pet exhibits any of these behaviors, consult a veterinarian immediately!

• Excessive panting
• Difficulty breathing
• Drooling
• Stupor
• Mild weakness
• Seizures
• Collapse

What to do if you discover a pet alone in a hot car, plus emergency tips on how to cool down an overheated pet:

Download our “Whoa! It’s Really Hot in Here!” fliers to hand out when you see a pet locked in a hot car.

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Our pets rely on us for their every need and in return they provide us with unconditional love.  It’s important that you make every effort to keep your pet with you. Rehoming a pet is a difficult decision and all avenues should be explored before trying to find a new home for your pet.

Many problems can be solved simply by contacting your veterinarian. New behavior issues may be a sign of a medical condition and should be looked into before trying to rehome your pet.

If you are moving, look for pet-friendly housing. If you’re concerned about the cost of an additional pet-related deposit, consider having a garage sale or selling items on ebay to cover the cost. You’re moving, so you might as well get rid of some of that old stuff!

In the military and being deployed? There are organizations that can help you!

FosterMilitaryPets.com
Military Pets Foster Project
OperationNobleFoster.org
MilitaryPets.org

These organizations work to find temporary foster homes for the pets of deployed military personnel until they return home. If you are being deployed, contact these groups asap!

Allergies. If allergies have become a problem for you or your child, consult your doctor about ways to prevent symptoms. Shots or allergy medications can be highly effective. Other ways to reduce symptoms include regularly cleaning and vacuuming your house, bathe and groom your pet more regularly or have your pet professionally groomed, and use allergen-reducing cleaning products, carpet cleaners, and shampoos. Consider purchasing an air filtration system. A sure fire way to help reduce allergy symptoms is to always keep your pet off your bed and completely out of the bedroom!

Behavior Problems. If your pet is exhibiting any new “bad” behaviors, consult your veterinarian. Your pet may have a medical condition. Your veterinarian will likely be able to diagnose the problem and treat or offer solutions for the behavior issues.

If there is absolutely no way you can keep your pet, plan early to ensure they get the best possible chance of finding a home.

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Do you have a first aid kit for your cat? Here are some basic items you will need to put together a kit. It’s important to always have these things on hand in case of an emergency.

Phone Numbers

• Your Veterinarian
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435
• Emergency Vet Clinic

Paperwork, including proof of rabies vaccination and other important medical records.

Cat First Aid Book

Cat First Aid Kit

If you want to put your own first aid kit together, the Humane Society of the United States recommends  (more…)