July is upon us -- half the year zipped by like an Indy 500 racer. With this new month comes enjoyable activities, like swimming, hiking, camping, picnics, travels, and playtime in the park. July also brings safety concerns, such as pests (think ticks and mosquitoes), rattlesnakes, heat exhaustion, and thunderstorms. And, this week, add fireworks to the list.
People and pets can be harmed by fireworks as well as from overheating and severe storms. Pets also become frightened, and many lost, due to the noise from fireworks. Extreme temperatures have plagued the United States already, and forecasts in various regions call for more intense heat -- and July has just began. The infographics below remind us pet parents to keep our beloved furry friends safe this season.
Read some great summer safety tips on Petfinder.com: https://www.petfinder.com/pet-care/summersafetytips/.
Also, here are links to two blog posts I wrote last year regarding pets and heat and pets and fireworks.
Have an enjoyable and safe 4th of July! And, remember: don't leave children or pets in cars this summer!
The heat of summer is upon a lot of us, with scorching temperatures of 95+ – and it’s barely July! Such temperatures are hard on people as well as pets. Like humans, pets need to keep cool, so running fans and air conditions in the home not only benefit us, but also benefit our pets. Like people, pets can experience heat exhaustion and heat stroke, so be aware of your pets’ health as you combat the heat.
Here are five tips for helping your pet deal with this year’s sweltering heat:
Also remember to not take your pet in the car and leave them there during the summer. Humans cool themselves by relying on an extensive system of sweat glands and evaporation; dogs and other animals have a more difficult time staying cool, therefore, they are very vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which happens frequently when pets are left in vehicles.
Parked cars quickly trap the sun’s heat. According to various studies done, a vehicle’s indoor temperature can rise 20 degrees F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30 degrees, and in 60 minutes, it can rise nearly 40 degrees. Even on a 70-degree day, if you leave for an hour, your car can be 110 degrees inside. Even having windows down somewhat makes little difference. Rarely does a summer go by without the tragic death of pets left in parked vehicles. Visit MyDogIsCool to learn more and print flyers to help others.
There are still many weeks left in the Summer of 2017, which means a lot more days of blistering temperatures. Let’s do all we can to make the season as comfortable and safe for our beloved pets as we can!
Gayle M. Irwin is a writer and public relations professional who volunteers with various animal rescue groups. She enjoys sharing her books and her passion for pets and the environment with others.