Article Contributed on: 6/4/2009 3:21:26 PM
Wag N' Wash® Healthy Pet Centers, the premier destination for all healthy cat and dog needs, is preparing for summer - one of the most enjoyable seasons for pets and their guardians. To make the most of the season, Wag N' Wash® offers products and advice that will keep pets safe and make the summer a time of freedom and fun.
Exercising in the Heat
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with pets. Pets love the sun, and won't always let their guardians know when they've had enough. With a little extra planning, pet guardians can ensure that they and their pets enjoy the weather while avoiding the dangers that heat can pose for pets.
• Plan exercise for the coolest part of the day. Dawn and dusk are the best times to exercise your pet. As always, prevent "bloat" by waiting at least an hour to exercise Fido after a meal.
• Protect paws. The temperature of asphalt and tar can soar far above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, sometimes reaching as high as 150. This can burn sensitive paw pads. Walk pets on grass or dirt when possible. If hot surfaces are unavoidable, a set of dog boots can protect those vulnerable paw pads. Ruffwear's Bark'n Boots Grip Trex are all-condition, all-terrain and all-season boots that protect and help Fido keep up with his guardian. They are available at Wag N' Wash Healthy Pet Centers, with prices ranging from $49.99 - $59.99. Liners are also available, and those retail for $9.99.
• Be aware of heat stress and heatstroke. It's important to recognize heat stress when it's happening to your pet, so you can take steps to do something about it. Depending on the stage of heat stress or stroke, the signs include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, excessive thirst, unusual tiredness, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, excessive salivating, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, and unconsciousness. If your pet shows any of these signs, let him lick ice cubes or cold water, move him to a cooler area, and apply cool towels, or immerse in cool (not cold) water - so long as the animal is conscious. Get her to a veterinarian as soon as you can.
Ready Access to Water
You drink more water on a hot day, and so does your pet. No matter what you have planned in the summer, bring plenty of water. A gallon Thermos of cold water or a few frozen liters of bottled water will ensure you have enough for your outing. Portable water bowls make it easier to give water to your pet when you're out and about. Wag N' Wash Healthy Pet Centers carry a variety of portable and collapsible water bowls, including Ruffwear's line, with prices ranging from $11.99 - $13.99. The compact, portable Guardian Gear Handi-Drink keeps pets supplied with fresh water on the go, making this product ideal for walks, hikes, car rides, camping, and trips to the beach. Retail prices range from $7.99 - $8.99, dependent on size.
Animals with Special Needs
Some pets are more vulnerable to the heat than others. Young, elderly, and overweight animals have a difficult time with the heat. Because animals release heat through their muzzles (noses), those with short muzzles can't release as much heat from their bodies and need special care. And, of course, animals with dark-colored or thick, winter-loving coats, will be better off with limited time in the sun. Many pet parents take their dogs to a professional groomer, like Wag N' Wash to have their pooches winter coat's shaved. For those who prefer a DIY method, consider using grooming tools to help keep heavy winter coats and shedding at bay. Wag N' Wash offers several different grooming tools that are ideal for any type of pooch. Coastal Pet Product's Undercoat Long Tooth Rake is suited for breeds with thick, heavy coats, and will penetrate deeply into Fido's coat and remove the loose undercoat without removing the other hair. It retails for $8.99. Many pet parents also take their dogs to a groomer to have their pooches winter coat's shaved, which does wonders in helping them stay cool in the summer heat.
Car and Travel Safety
Summer is a great time to travel. Keeping pets safe and happy during car travel is easy - and could save their lives.
• Don't leave pets in parked cars. Even when car windows are left open a couple of inches, it takes only ten minutes on an 85-degree day for the inside of the car to soar to 102 degrees. Within 30 minutes, it can reach 120 degrees. Even if the temperature is a pleasant 70 degrees outside, the inside of the car can reach temperatures as high as 90 degrees in the sun. Don't leave pets in cars. The risks are too high and the damage can happen in as little as ten minutes
• Make sure pets ride safe. Pets don't belong in the bed of a pick-up truck. They can be hurt by flying debris, or launched from the vehicle during a sudden stop. Pets are safest when they ride inside the cab with restraining devices or in crates. If there's no room in the cab, let your pet ride in a secured crate in the bed of the truck. Wag N' Wash carries several types of seatbelts and restraints. Ezy Dog's harness, doubles as a seatbelt restraint and features a protective chest plate to keep Fido safe in the event of an accident. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, retail prices range from $19.99 - $29.99. The Kurgo Auto Zip Line™ is the easiest and most convenient safety harness and restraint system for your dog. A nylon-webbed line attaches between the two rear seatbelts or rear passenger side handles, creating a tether run, allowing Fido the freedom to roam in the backseat of the car. The Kurgo dog harness and leash integrate with the Zip Line allowing you to quickly transition from walking the dog to getting on the road. Retail prices range from $39.99 - $49.99
Dodging Summer Critters
Our pets aren't the only critters that love the summer. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are out in full force during the summer, and each present a potential health concern for pets.
• Fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks, common pet pests, can put a damper on summer fun. To make matters worse, some of the flea and tick treatments out there can be toxic to pets. Check with your veterinarian about safe treatments, and don't forget to visit Wag N' Wash® for all-natural products and/or flea and tick grooming treatments.
• Mosquitoes. You can't avoid mosquitoes, but you can protect your pet against the primary serious mosquito-borne illness for pets: heartworm disease. Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication.
• Skunks. Unfortunately, skunks are out in full force during summer, and they are fascinating to our pets! To minimize the chances of Fido getting skunked, avoid letting your pet be outside alone after dusk. If it happens, bringing in Fido to a full or self-service dog wash or groomer, like Wag N' Wash, will help alleviate the stink from the skunk
Healthy Lawns and Gardens do not Always Mean Healthy Pets!
Having a healthy lawn and garden can sometimes have the opposite effect on our pets! In fact, there are many fertilizers, pesticides and mulch lining store shelves that can be harmful if ingested.
• Mulch: One product that can be particularly dangerous is Cocoa Mulch. Although it has a heavenly smell, the cocoa beans contain a potentially lethal ingredient called Theobromine (hence why it is important to never feed your dog dark, semi-sweet or baker's chocolate). If you have a dog or cat that spend time in the backyard, consider using other varieties of mulch.
• Fertilizer: Different types of fertilizers have different levels of toxicity. When applying fertilizer to your lawn or garden, it's crucial that you read the label carefully and determine if the chemicals are a threat to your pet's health. Fertilizers that don't contain herbicides or pesticides won't harm pets. But regardless, as a rule, it's always a good idea to water a lawn thoroughly after applying fertilizer to help wash granules into the soil and off the grass blades. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if in doubt, assume that the fertilizer is dangerous. The situation is different with garden weed killers, which work by sticking to the leaves large and small. To work, they can't be washed off for at least 48 hours after application and during this time, pets and children should be kept away.
• Pesticides: Pesticides are usually the most toxic and accordingly, label directions on pesticide products generally say to keep anyone, other than the gardener, out of the treated area until the spray has dried or the dust has settled.
Wag N' Wash® Healthy Pet Centers wishes a happy and health summer with your pets. We understand that cats and dogs are more than just pets - they are cherished members of your families. And they are cherished members of the Wag N' Wash® family too. For more information about Wag N' Wash® Healthy Pet Centers, visit www.wagnwash.com.