It seems everybody loves summertime, but this season does come with a few extra hazards for our furry friends. That’s why today I want to talk about 5 summer dangers for pets and how you can help keep your 4-legged companions safe.
Check out this cool infographic from our friends at the ASPCA, and then we’ll chat some more below! Click directly ON the image to see a larger version!
This summer, play it safe and protect your pet from:
- Sun and heat – pets can become dehydrated quickly! Do you know the signs of an overheated pet? Educate yourself and always be aware of your pet’s behavior!
- Fireworks and thunderstorms – the United States will celebrate Independence Day later this week, and it’s important to note that more pets go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year! Many pets are terrified of loud noises like fireworks and the thunder that comes with a summer storm. Keep your babies in a quiet, secure area of the home so they can’t become scared and run off!
- Parties and barbecues – There are so many people foods that are harmful to pets, and many of them can be found at backyard parties and barbecues. Keep stuff like grapes, onions, avocado, and chocolate out of your pet’s reach, and be aware that pets can succumb quickly to alcohol poison if they drink liquor, beer, or wine.
- Hot cars – Last week we talked about the potentially deadly consequences of leaving your pet alone in a hot car. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside your car can soar to deadly heights in just 10 minutes. Why take the chance? Leave your pets at home if they cannot go inside with you! Take the ASPCA’s pledge to save lives this summer!
- Toxic chemicals – We use so many summertime products that are toxic to our pets. Bug spray, citronella candles, sunscreen, even those fun glow sticks that the kids like are all potentially deadly to your pet. Keep them out of your pet’s reach at all times!
What tips can you offer for keeping pets safe this summer? I’d love for you to share them in a comment below.
christina_pierce@me.com says
July 1, 2015 at 8:24 amWe love to swim and hike. Our human cousins are coming up and we have big plans with them too!
Nancy Saltsman says
July 1, 2015 at 4:08 pmWe live on a farm with lots of land so Shasta’s favorite thing to do is run and chase sticks that I throw for her. She also loves chasing tennis balls. On hot days we play in creek behind the house. She loves the water as well. There is never a lack of finding things to do outside on sunny days!
Sandy Van says
July 1, 2015 at 9:20 amLots of swimming and running on the beach, a boat ride and home cooking.
Candi Warrington says
July 1, 2015 at 10:00 amWe are hoping to take Gus on a road trip this summer to our son’s. So glad for this info…
Karen says
July 1, 2015 at 10:15 amIf you have a basically white dog, with pink skin showing, please use a sunscreen, especially on their nose and ears. I use a baby sunscreen. Works well.
Linda Szymoniak says
July 1, 2015 at 10:40 amWe’ve been sticking close to home because my mini-van isn’t working the best, but we’ll be trading it in over the next week or so and then I want to take my dogs for a run to the Indiana Dunes state park for some hiking and walking along Lake Michigan. I lose my deaf hound girl, Ran, in April and really want to adopt another dog. I may be taking three of my four rescued Treeing Walker Coonhounds (#4 is my senior and she wouldn’t do well on a trip) to southern Indiana to meet a sweet Coonhound girl I’m thinking of adopting.
Christina Berry says
July 1, 2015 at 11:24 amLinda, did I know that you’re in Indiana? My memory is sooooo bad! 🙂
Linda Szymoniak says
July 1, 2015 at 11:29 amI think so. I’m in the far, NW corner of the state, so we consider ourselves as much Chicago as we do Indiana. All our local TV and radio stations are Chicago. I’m five miles from the IN/IL border and I think it’s only about 20 or 25 miles to the far SE corner of Chicago. Funny, but we’re only about 45 miles from Michigan and less than 100 from Wisconsin, too. I love this area!
Christine A. says
July 2, 2015 at 9:47 amit is a great area!
Marlys Cocozzoli says
July 1, 2015 at 11:20 amLong walkies early every morning. Lots of ball toss inside along with tug of war and always lots and lots of hugs and kisses!
Kimberly Gauthier says
July 1, 2015 at 11:47 amKeep the dogs away from the food! We make our dogs their own BBQ that includes raw meaty bones during the day and hamburger patties when we eat our burgers. We no longer have people over, because it’s too distracting – we like a peaceful relaxing day.
Oh and walk the dogs A LOT during the cool parts of the day. Doing this helps our dogs sleep through the fireworks.
Lara says
July 1, 2015 at 12:06 pmOne of the things I’m most looking forward to this summer is taking Boca to a fundraiser for her shelter in the Bahamas. The fundraiser is called Pints for Potcakes held at a local sports bar, and there will be a silent auction for donated items and a chance to meet some of her potcake cousins while enjoying a few beers.
Karen D. says
July 1, 2015 at 12:21 pmStaying low key for the fourth. The dogs and I will be traveling to visit family and friends including furry friends and family. Will be a fun summer.
Dolly the Doxie says
July 1, 2015 at 12:48 pmThanks for sharing these important reminders! Love Dolly
Hailey says
July 1, 2015 at 2:40 pmMe and my dog Buddy will be going camping and having a day of swimming at the beach he doesn’t love the water but we’re definitely making progress and I got him on a sort of paddle boat yesterday!
Tenacious Little Terrier says
July 1, 2015 at 3:05 pmWe just went to the beach yesterday and we have two more trips planned.
Sandy KS says
July 1, 2015 at 3:08 pmI plan on taking my dogs camping this summer, swimming on the beach and staying in a cabin on the mountains. Our dogs always go with us when we visit the local parks and dams.
Christine Aiello says
July 1, 2015 at 3:12 pmI plan to spend time in the pool with my dog, go for long walks when it’s not too hot for her and hoping to plan a trip to Maine with the family to celebrate her 10th birthday!
Jody Miller-Young says
July 1, 2015 at 4:08 pmGreat post, Christina, thanks! We are staying close to home this summer, as mom and dad have already done some traveling in May and June without the pups. But, I am experimenting with some yummy frozen doggy desserts, and will pass along any that are particular pupular. Also, the dogs have their own pool club here; they swim and romp in the backyard everyday, those lucky critters.
Susan P. says
July 1, 2015 at 4:41 pmWe walk to the dog park and nearby county park for exercise. I bring water for them since it gets hot!
Ann Cluck says
July 1, 2015 at 4:58 pmWe love walkies and swimming in my pool!!
Karla Sceviour says
July 1, 2015 at 6:31 pmwe have lots of camping,road trips,and swimming planed for the summer!
KateV says
July 1, 2015 at 8:24 pmWe’re looking forward to playing agility this summer =)
It's Dog or Nothing says
July 1, 2015 at 8:44 pmGreat tips! We plan on beating the heat with a dip in the lake 🙂
Shelley P says
July 1, 2015 at 10:54 pmWe will be doing a lot of hiking with the dogs and taking them down to the river for a dip in the water 🙂 Also we will be attending some fun dog events.
Jessica Shipman | Beagles and Bargains says
July 2, 2015 at 12:42 amIt’s great to consider all the possible dangers. You can never be too prepared! We’ll be doing quite a bit of camping and hiking this summer! I can’t wait!
Erin Childs says
July 2, 2015 at 6:28 amIn the fun of summer it’s easy to forget these common dangers. We’ll just be hanging out this summer – staying in the yard by the pool trying to keep cool!
Christine A. says
July 2, 2015 at 10:04 amI sadly lost my first dog 3 weeks ago, she was 16 yrs old, so I’m doing everything fun I possible can with my other dog who is going to be 7 this October; dog park, play dates, pet events, road trip, swimming for the first time, etc. But right now the mosquitoes are horrible so if anyone has any tips on how to deter them, I’m all ears. 🙂
Julie kessler says
July 2, 2015 at 10:27 amWe will be hanging @ the house. Going thru a divorce after 15 years, 4 dog babies and three cats. Doing our time here, getting thru it then it’s off to Our new life. Me as a single Mom and moving far away. So we just swim in our kiddie pool , play some frisbee play chase and take our walks. I would Never leave my babies, I promised each one forever♡ Great info on Pet safety.
Gina Nichols says
July 2, 2015 at 10:44 amIf it actually warms up, we will be spending time in the pool getting our new puppy to enjoy the water. In the meantime, since I am in my final phase of becoming a certified dog trainer, my family and I and our 4 pit bulls will be conducting training classes in our yard (to help me overcome my stage fright).
Ruth Epstein says
July 2, 2015 at 12:46 pmI am always going to different dog parks with Layla, plus having an earthquake kit in the house the first aid kit would be awesome to have for emergencies. I am such a Jewish Mom BOL and always making sure she is safe from everything – hey in case of emergencies I will even make her chicken soup 🙂
Victoria Richards says
July 2, 2015 at 1:03 pmWith the fun of summer here, nahla and I enjoy lots of fetch and Frisbee fun. We have plans to go to the lake for some boating and fishing with the family. We can’t wait.
Thanks for this great pet giveaway… our fingers and paws are crossed we win.
Daniel Scott says
July 2, 2015 at 10:02 pmWe will be hiking, swimming and attending dog events. Tomorrow there is a walk for the pet food pantry, there are dog ice cream parties on the 11th and 17th and a canine carnival.
Emily Endrizzi says
July 2, 2015 at 11:02 pmThis summer we are going to the Outer Banks with our dog, Mickey. He loves to run on the beach and try and catch the sea gulls, dig in the sand, and bark at the crabs. This will be our second year taking him there and we are all really looking forward to it!
Christine says
July 4, 2015 at 9:45 pmWe are going on a roadtrip to visit friends on a horse farm in MD…and we are planning several hikes & camp-outs in the NC mountains…YAY!
Christie Kontz says
July 5, 2015 at 10:48 amMy furbaby and I are just chillin’ out at home; she lays in her little kiddie pool to keep cool while I sit on the porch swing sipping iced tea. We also enjoy long, early morning walks around the beautiful grounds of our community. She’s made friends of the local Prairie dogs; they’ve learned she doesn’t have any desire to hurt them so they all come out of their burrows when we come by. She sits a respectful 5 feet from the mound cocking her head this way and that while the residents sit there and chatter away to us! I’ve got some great photos of these encounters where she looks as if she’s thinking, “what the heck is he chattering on about, Mom?” We’d love to win the prize pack so we can join our support group friends on picnic trips to the mountain in one of the many national parks in our beautiful state of Colorado, too! Good luck to all!
candy peters says
July 5, 2015 at 10:19 pmwe plan to spend a lot of time at the beach . our dog loves to fetch his ball or stick in the water.
Amanda says
July 6, 2015 at 11:04 pmLove my sweet pit mix baby Sasha. She loves running and playing with her Jack Russell *boyfriend* Coco and her little ferret friend Murdock. She also loves letting my little nephews walk her…..she is so sweet and gentle with them.