South Coast Veterinarian: Massachusetts Warm Weather Pet Tips
When the weather begins to get warm outdoors, pets and people naturally want to spend more time outside of the home. Unfortunately, there are lots of risks associated with late spring and summer weather when it comes to cats and dogs. This time of year can be a great time to enjoy the change of seasons, so the more you can do to prepare for certain situations that can be dangerous and prevent other types of risks from harming your pet, the better. Seasonal pet tips in Massachusetts for warm weather are much different than the concerns we face in the fall or winter. Instead of worrying about freezing temperatures, the warmer range can also pose other health risks. So whether you go for a car ride, take a hike along the beach, visit a park, or just spend time in your own backyard, it pays to prepare ahead of time to protect your pet from harm.
Limited Wellness Checkups
Like other South Coast veterinarian clinics in the local area, we currently have limited wellness checkups. However, we highly recommend that pet owners stay consistent with vaccinations and preventive treatment. We will make urgent care and emergencies a priority, but we do suggest setting an appointment as soon as possible to make sure your pets do not fall behind on their shot schedule. Fleas, ticks, mosquitos, heartworm, and other dangerous pests are more common in the spring and summer months, so you need to be prepared. You don’t want your pet suffering from pests or parasites, and you do not want them bringing these things indoors where they could become a danger to family members.
Contact Anchor Animal Hospital to schedule an appointment or discuss your needs for vaccinations and preventive treatment. We are offering telemedicine appointments and consultations, along with curbside drop-off appointments for wellness exams and ongoing treatments. One of the best seasonal pet tips in Massachusetts is to focus on prevention and stick with the course of action recommended by your trusted South Coast veterinarian. If you have any questions about care or the process for seeing a vet during the coronavirus crisis, contact our team directly. We can answer any questions you might have, schedule appointments, and go over the procedure that we are using at this time.
Warm Weather and Pets in Cars
One of the most tragic things that we hear about when the weather gets warm is pets who become seriously ill or even die from being left in a hot car. During late spring and early summer conditions, the average car can reach more than 120 degrees in just a few minutes – even when the vehicle is parked in the shade. Don’t think that cracking windows or leaving a car running with the A/C on is a safe solution. Pets can’t perspire to cool down as we do, so they can quickly suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and even die in the time it takes you to run an errand or shop in a store. Leave your pets home when you have to go out for shopping, paying bills, or running other errands. It is the best way to prevent this type of tragedy from happening in the first place.
If you are not going inside a store and won’t be leaving your pets alone, you can bring them along for a ride to get out of the house. Make sure to take necessary precautions, such as using a pet crate, leash, harness, microchip, or get pet ID tags, and bring along fresh water for the journey. Have a nice blanket or pet bed for your dog or cat to sit in safely during the trip. Consider purchasing a pet safety seat, use seat belts designed to work with harnesses, or use a booster seat to prevent your pet from climbing, jumping, or getting hurt on the road. You know your pet and the way they behave when they are in a vehicle. Many pet owners use pet nets to keep jumpy pets in the backseat or travel with a crate for those who can’t sit still. Think ahead of time when you need to bring your pet with you and plan accordingly.
Outdoor Dangers in the Backyard
There are many hidden dangers that are lurking outside that could hurt your pet. In the spring and summer, people tend to do more gardening and outdoor home remodeling. Fertilizer, insecticides, plant food, and mulch can all be seriously dangerous to your pet. The thing is that they don’t even need to ingest these chemicals for them to be injured or sickened. Pets absorb lawn chemicals and other products through the pads in their feet. Walking through wet grass after the pest control company or landscapers have visited could be extremely dangerous. Speak with the provider to discuss ways that you can reduce the impact on pets or keep areas where your pets play free of chemicals.
Other dangers can include plants, which can have toxic or dangerous substances that could make your pet sick or die. Do a check on any plants you might be considering for your garden before you purchase them. This goes for indoor plants as well. Water and sun damage can also pose a problem for many pets. Just as we should avoid the hot UV rays of the sun, many pets can be vulnerable to sunburns and skin cancer. Pools, ponds, and homes that are near lakes or rivers can also pose a danger to pets. Make sure your pet is supervised at all times when outdoors to prevent accidents from happening. Contact your trusted South Coast veterinarian for more seasonal pet tips in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Schedule vaccinations and preventive treatment with our Dartmouth animal hospital to keep your pet safe and healthy year-round by calling 508-996-3731.