As summer dawns upon us, it’s important to be aware about how to keep our pets safe and comfortable. The heat impacts our furbabies just like it impacts us, and while some pets, like horses, sweat, others don’t, which makes it vital that you learn how to watch them for signs of heatstroke. There are many different summer tips for pet owners, and depending on the type of pet you have, you could need to do different things. 

High temperatures can cause all sorts of different pet safety concerns. That’s why we’ve gathered some summer tips for pet owners that apply to many different types of pets. Here are some useful summer tips for pet owners that can help your pet stay happy, healthy, and safe this summer.

#1. See If Your Pet Needs Sunscreen

Humans aren’t the only ones who can get sunburnt. Many different animals can too, which is why one of our summer tips for pet owners is to find out whether or not your pet needs sunscreen. If you have a bird or a reptile, their feathers and scales typically keep them protected from the sun. However, most mammals can get sunburnt, although most have natural protections against it. Pets that have short, fine hair or pink skin can get burnt. For instance, if you have a horse with a pink nose, you’ll want to put sunscreen on them and keep them protected. 

You typically don’t want to use human sunscreens on your pet, though. There are sunscreens that are made specifically for pets. If you need help finding a sunscreen for your pet or finding out whether or not your pet needs sunscreen, your vet can help you out.

#2. Mind Their Paws

If you have a pet with paws, be careful when letting them outside. Their paws can get burned on hot asphalt and concrete. One of our top summer tips for pet owners is to take appropriate safety precautions when it comes to letting your pet run around in the heat. If the pavement hurts your bare feet, it hurts your pet’s paws too. You can take precautions such as putting little booties on your pet’s paws or by guiding them to stay in the grass, where the ground will be cooler. 

#3. Watch For Signs Of Heat Stress

One of the most important summer tips for pet owners is to know the signs of heat stress for your pet. Many different animals show signs of heat exhaustion by:

• Fast, shallow breathing
• Listlessness
• Glazed eyes
• Rapid heart rate
• Dizziness
• Incoordination
• Increased sweating or less sweat than expected, if you have a pet that sweats
• Hot skin
• And more

Some signs of heat stress can vary, depending on your pet. For instance, horses can be dripping sweat all over their bodies, but cats sweat primarily through their paws. If you have a hamster, a sign of heat stress could be them sleeping in an open area, rather than their usual sheltered space. It’s important to learn the signs of heat stress for the type of pet that you have. Your vet can answer any questions you may have.

If your pet is showing signs of heat stress, what you do may vary depending on the type of pet that you have. Generally, you want to move them out of the sun and provide them with water. Some signs of heat stress can indicate an emergency, so you will want to call your vet in order to get help for your furbaby. 

#4. Learn If You Should Shave Them

You typically don’t want to shave your pet for the summer. Animals’ coats are made to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summertime. A lot of animals shed so that they can have a lighter, finer coat for the hot summer months that keeps them cool and then grow a thicker coat for the colder months. For many different pets, it generally isn’t recommended that you shave them. For pets such as rabbits, shaving them could end up harming them and leaving them susceptible to hypothermia when the weather cools down at night.

Thus, one of our summer tips for pet owners is to do your research and ask your vet whether or not you should shave your pet for the summer. For instance, if you have a dog that was bred for really cold climates, they might benefit from a trim if you live somewhere hot. You always want to ask your vet whether or not you should trim your pet’s coat or shave them prior to taking any action, though, as the last thing you want is to inadvertently harm them.

Looking For More Summer Tips For Pet Owners?

Skyline Animal Hospital is here to help! Our experienced veterinarians can answer questions you may have about summer care for your specific type of pet. To learn more summer tips for pet owners, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!

As the temperatures have crept upward, we have seen an increase in the number of dogs with burnt paws from walking on hot asphalt. It is crucial to be aware of how easily your pets can become burnt due to hot temperatures and take the steps to keep your pets safe in the summer heat. Not only can they become burnt relatively easily, but pets are also susceptible to heatstroke and devastating health consequences when exposed to too high temperatures. Here are a few of the best tips for keeping your pets safe in the summer heat.

Be Careful with Walks

Your pet’s paws can become burnt easily when walking on hot asphalt surfaces. Though it can be important for them to still get their exercise, it is exceedingly important to take the steps to keep them safe in the summer heat. You should always check the temperatures for the day before you take them for a walk and avoid walking in the midday heat. Walks should only take place in the early morning or late evening hours. If you are unsure if the asphalt has cooled enough for your pet’s paws, you can place your own skin in contact with the surface. If you can’t comfortably hold it on the surface, neither can your pets.

When you go for your walks, you should try to walk your pets on the grass as much as possible. The grass won’t retain heat as much as asphalt or concrete surfaces, so they are less likely to become burnt when walking on grass. There are additional options for protecting your pet’s paws, as well, such as booties that can keep their paws from getting hurt. However, the use of these booties doesn’t mean that you can walk them in midday heat, because they are still likely to become dehydrated or suffer from heatstroke.

Keep them Hydrated

Dehydration is extremely common during the summer months. It is important to ensure that your pet always has access to water. When you take them on walks, you should bring water along with a collapsible water bowl. Stop frequently for water breaks and ensure that they are drinking adequate levels of water. When you are at home, keep their water dish filled at all times and never withhold water from your pet. Learn the signs of dehydration and the steps to combat it if it arises.

Don’t Shave your Pets

Logically, you may think that your pet may stay cooler if you shave their thick fur coat. However, you should never do this! While it is possible that you can trim the long fur on a coat, you should never shave your pet. Their coats are naturally designed to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. When you shave your pet, they are more vulnerable to becoming burnt from the sun, because they won’t have the layer of fur to protect their skin. Certain pet-specific sunscreens can also be implemented to help reduce the likelihood of your pet becoming burnt from exposure to the sun. However, it is important to ensure that it is a pet-specific formula. You should never use a product designed for humans on your pet.

Truck Beds Should be Avoided

Many people allow their pets to travel in the bed of their truck, because they think that that is safer than keeping them inside the cab. However, while you should never leave your pet in a parked car, the truck bed can still be problematic in the summer. The metal of the truck bed heats up quickly in the summer months. This can cause burns to their paws and can also cause them to overheat much more quickly. Allowing your pet to travel in a truck bed can still cause injuries, so you should avoid it.

Never Leave them in a Parked Car

Some people think that they can leave their pet in a parked car, as long as they have water and leave the windows cracked. However, the internal temperatures of cars can easily skyrocket. Even on a relatively mild 80-degree day, the internal car temperatures can easily reach over 100 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. This is still true when you have the windows cracked. In addition to the danger to your pet from exposure to such high temperatures, leaving your pet in a parked car is illegal in many states. It is crucial to never leave them in a parked car in the summer temperatures.

Learn the Signs of Heatstroke

Learning the signs of heatstroke can go a long way toward helping you to ensure that you provide your pet with the care that they need. Excessive panting and salivating are often some of the first signs that you will see with heatstroke. A pet that is in obvious discomfort may be experiencing heatstroke. Severe signs of heatstroke tend to include vomiting, disorientation, diarrhea, and even seizures. When your pet is exhibiting the signs of heatstroke, it is important to provide immediate care.

Safe Hiking

Hiking with your pets is an incredibly popular pastime in the summer months. When you engage in this activity, it will be important to take the steps to keep your pet safe in the summer heat. Always have ample amounts of water and do your research regarding the trail you intend to take them on. Learn the signs of heatstroke and never do a hike that will be too far outside their fitness level.

Our expert team at Skyline Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing you with the guidance that you need to keep your pet in the best possible health. During these extremely hot temperatures, it is critical to ensure that you take the steps to keep your pet safe in the summer heat. Always provide them with adequate levels of water and provide plenty of shade and opportunities to cool down. Never walk your pet in the midday heat or leave them in a parked car. To learn more about how to keep your pets safe in the summer heat, contact us at Skyline Animal Hospital today!

Many people have either experienced allergies themselves or seen their loved ones experience the symptoms of allergies. Though this is incredibly common for humans, allergies are also extremely common for pets. Understanding how allergies impact your pets can go a long way toward keeping your pet comfortable and happy. If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from allergies, you should contact our office. We will be able to diagnose an allergic reaction, as well as help to find the cause of the allergic reactions. After the cause has been diagnosed, we will be able to provide you with the appropriate treatment plan to restore your pet to the best possible health and comfort.  There are many kinds of allergies in pets.

What are Allergies?

Allergies are essentially a result of hypersensitivity to a specific foreign substance. These hypersensitivities cause the immune system to overreact to the substance. This overreaction results in the excessive production of white blood cells, as well as histamines. These imbalances tend to lead to the other symptoms that are associated with allergies. This is the way that allergies impact both humans and pets. Allergies are generally chronic problems, but treatments can be implemented to provide relief from the symptoms.

Different Allergy Types

There are multiple types of allergies that pets may experience. The first type is flea-related allergies. These allergies are caused when pets are sensitive to chemicals that are present in the saliva of fleas. This often results in redness, bumps, scabs, and hair loss, as they will excessively itch or bite the area where flea bites are located. The second type is a food-related allergy. These allergies occur as a reaction to a food that the pet is sensitive to. This tends to cause extreme itching, as well as other skin problems. It is important to note that this is different from food intolerance. Intolerance may cause the pet to have gastrointestinal issues, such as excessive gas or an upset stomach, but it generally doesn’t result in itching.

Another type of allergy that pets frequently experience is inhalant allergies. These allergies are from exposure to inhalants in the air. They often cause generalized itching or chronic ear infections. This type of allergy may be seasonal, when it comes from exposure to pollen, but they may last year-round when they occur from exposure to an environmental factor within your building. The fourth common type of allergy is contact allergies. These allergies occur when the pet comes into physical contact with a specific allergen, such as weeds or grass.

Common Causes of Allergies in Pets

Essentially, the cause of allergies is from exposure to allergens that the pet is hypersensitive to. There are multiple allergens that commonly cause allergic symptoms to occur. Some pets are hypersensitive to a chemical that is in the saliva of fleas. Unlike the regular discomfort that a pet may experience when it has fleas, a pet that is sensitive to fleas will experience much more severe reactions.

Other common causes of allergies are often a result of food components or environmental factors. Food allergies are generally caused by proteins that are present in beef, lamb, dairy products, venison, or wheat. However, keep in mind that food allergies can result from any food. Inhalant allergens are often caused by pollens, dust, or mold particles. Contact-related allergens are often weeds, vegetation, flowers, dirt, grass, and more. It can be difficult to determine the exact cause of your pet’s allergies, as there are many common allergens. The appropriate testing can help to determine the most likely causes of your pet’s allergies.

Signs of Allergies in Pets

Understanding the signs and symptoms of your pet’s allergies can help you to obtain the appropriate treatment. Note all of the signs that your pet is exhibiting in order to provide us with as much information as possible. This will help us to make a more accurate diagnosis for pet, which will also ensure the best possible treatment. Flea allergies can often be determined when the symptoms of allergies are present along with signs of fleas, eggs, or feces. If you notice that your pet is chewing, scratching, or licking excessively at bite sites, they may be experiencing hypersensitivity to fleas. This often also results in localized hair loss, sores, or scabbing.

The presence of a rash, hives, and itching on the face, side, limbs, or anal region are common indications that your pet is experiencing allergies. Severe itching, excessive scratching, licking, biting, and sneezing all indicate that your pet has allergies. Pay attention to all of the symptoms that your pet is exhibiting, as these may help you to determine the allergy type and, ultimately, the allergen that is impacting your pet.

Treatment for your Pet’s Allergies

The best way to minimize your pet’s allergy-related symptoms is by preventing them from being exposed to the allergens that cause their symptoms. Certain medications and prescriptions may be used to help reduce the severity of symptoms that your pet has. It may be necessary to provide a specific diet to prevent food-related allergies from occurring. Specialized shampoos can be incredibly useful in dealing with allergies that are caused by contact to allergens. Allergy shots may be used to help desensitize a pet that is experiencing allergies by using repeated exposure to the allergens. Implementing the ideal treatment can both help to control the allergy symptoms of your pet or prevent the symptoms from surfacing. Pets that experience sensitivity to fleas will require intensive flea treatment whenever they experience flea infestation. These treatments can go a long way toward reducing their discomfort and pain whenever they are bitten by a flea.

Here at Skyline Animal Hospital, we strive to provide you with the solutions that you need to enhance the comfort of your pet and improve their health. Though there aren’t really any “cures” for allergies, your pets don’t have to suffer with the discomfort that they cause. If you suspect that your pet is experiencing the negative symptoms of allergies, you should contact our office to schedule an appointment.