Summertime Pet Care

Summertime Pet Care

                   

British summertime is something that can be incredibly empowering and a source of joy and happiness for all involved – when the mercury reaches the mid-twenties, that is! The rest of the time, our summer weather consists of elusive and highly temperamental bursts of sunshine with the odd rain shower and storms thrown in for good measure. Should the sun decide to put his hat on and keep it there, you can guarantee that the masses will flock to parks and beer gardens complete with shorts and flip flops in tow! But it also means we need to spare a thought for our pets as unlike us, they can’t strip off to cool down. Here, we know that caring for pets can change season to season and this is especially true in the summer months. Countryside walks, holidays and even trips to the supermarket need to be considered, planned and prepared for in advance. It goes without saying that your dog needs to be microchipped and wearing a collar at all times when in public as of April 2016 due to legislation amendments that came into effect, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your collars look fun and stylish at the same time. We supply engraved pet ID tags in a range of styles and designs to suit all pets and personalities.  For those fashion-conscious pets who like to rotate their fancy collars, try the popular eZeClip, which will make it easy to move tags from one to the other. 

When out and about in summertime:

  • Keep dogs under control and on a lead when walking around the countryside when around animals and other wildlife
  • Between March 1st and July 31st in some parts of the countryside, dogs must be kept on a short lead to protect nesting birds, so keep an eye out for signs enforcing this. 
  • If your dog is disobedient and playful, then please always keep them on a short lead when out and about Please note: this is for the safety and well-being of your dog too, as farmers are allowed to take measures against your dog should they frighten their animals
  • Be responsible, clean up after your dog
When closer to home:
  • Ensure your pets are wormed regularly, treated for fleas and be on the lookout for ticks during the summer months
  • Temperatures in conservatories, cars, and caravans can rise very quickly so don’t leave your pets alone or they could overheat
  • Avoid letting your pets sleep in direct sunlight and allow them plenty of cool, shaded areas to rest in during summer
  • Provide plenty of fresh and clean water for your pets.  If you have your car, keep a water bowl in it and a bottle of fresh water kept in a cooler.  If not, get yourself one of those collapsible water bowl and take the bottle of water with you.
  • Pets can’t sweat to cool down, so if you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke – they start panting heavily – then wrap them in a cool, damp towel and change it regularly
  • Avoid taking your pets out in the middle of the day – stick to mornings and evenings for exercising and don’t make it strenuous
  • You can even get sun cream for your pets to protect their delicate areas – noses and paws– as well as thinner patches of fur and skin under harsher temperatures
  • Keep fur trimmed where possible to keep your pet cooler.
For more seasonal advice for your pets, please click here for information from blue cross. We provide so much more than just engraved pet ID tags, so for more pet advice, resources, and information, please visit our website today.