Summer safety for pets

Summertime is fun time. But it can also be a little risky for our furry friends. With summer allergies, the increased risk of ticks and fleas, and the temperatures of pavements soaring our beloved pets can experience a ‘ruff’ time.

During the summer months, asphalt and tarmac pavements can become too hot for delicate pet paws, causing pain and in severe cases burns.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid the midday sun and let your pet go out in the cooler times, of early morning, or late evening.

If you need to go out, make sure the pavement is not too hot for your pet, by placing the back of your hand onto the pavement for 10 seconds. If you find it uncomfortable or even painful, then it’s not safe for your pet.

If you’re concerned that your pet has been burned by the pavement, keep an eye out for the following symptoms, limping, walking strangely, or whimpering. You can also check their paw pads for swelling or blistering. If you find they’ve experience pavement burns, run some cool water on their pads and speak to your vet for more advice.

Our pets love to bask in the sunshine but they can suffer from sunburn just like we do, especially if they are white or have any white markings. Their delicate ears are especially at risk, so apply a safe, species-appropriate suncream if your cat or dog enjoys sunbathing. Don’t be tempted to use sun cream for humans as they are unsuitable due to fragrances/tan intensifiers etc and could be harmful if licked off.

If you can’t keep your little friend still enough to apply sun cream, monitor the time your pet is allowed out in the sun, and make sure there is free access to shade or a cooler area indoors and plenty of cool fresh water.

Although allergies can be a year-round problem, animals can suffer from hay fever-like symptoms, just like us, which are more common during the summer months.  If your pet has an extreme allergy, venturing out into the great outdoors can feel like walking into a cloud when pollens are reaching higher levels.

The krill in the Arden Grange dry dog food and cat food is an especially useful ingredient for sensitive animals because it is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty EPA and DHA essential fatty acids, which may help reduce symptoms of allergies due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Over time, an omega-3 enhanced diet may even increase allergy thresholds, which can be useful if the allergens the dog or cat is reactive to cannot be completely avoided (e.g. grass pollens).

If you find your furry friend has a little tag-along tick, it’s best to remove them as early as possible. Ticks can carry Lyme disease which can affect both animals and their owners. If left untreated this could lead to more serious complications of kidney, heart, or other problems. Therefore, it’s important to check your pet regularly especially if they’ve been frolicking in the long grass.

If you do find a tick, speak to your vet, they will either be able to show you how to remove it (usually using the twist method with a tick removal tool) or they will do it for you. Never try and burn the tick off or use a lotion to suffocate them.

It’s hotting up which means one thing… fleas will be rife! While you may just think they are incredibly irritating for you and your pet (which is true), they don’t just cause itching, which if excessive can also result in infections and hair loss. They can carry flea tapeworm and other diseases.

While fleas will hitch a ride and live on your pet, they also can infest your home. The best way to manage this is to keep flea treatment up to date. Your vet can help you decide which treatment is best for you and your pet.

A great way to either keep your pets still while administering spot-on treatments or hiding tablets is by using a tasty treat. We’ve found that our Tasty Pastes works wonders in these situations.

Insects such as wasps, ants and midges can also be a problem for some sensitive pets, so be careful where you’re walking. If your dog or cat has had a past anaphylactic reaction as a result of a bee or wasp sting, your vet may provide you with an EpiPen containing epinephrine in case of a future reaction.

Just like humans, sometimes our pets do not drink enough, which can be dangerous, especially in the summer months. During this time it takes more fuel to regulate body temperature in extremes, so in hot weather, your dog or cat might need the same amount of food even if they are exercising a little less.

Also keeping them hydrated is essential, and you may need to get creative with it. Whether it's putting water bowls in various places in the house, soaking your pets' kibble, getting a water fountain, or creating pet-friendly popsicles.