Summer Pet Safety Tips in Canton
Your pet is a member of the family, and it’s important to keep them protected as you would any family member! Summer, while a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors in and around Canton, also brings with it some dangers. Heat and severe weather are two concerns, while parasites, especially the dreaded tick which has become a growing problem, also pose significant dangers. Our animal hospital has gathered some summer pet safety tips to keep your pet safe throughout this season!
Weather Safety
The summers can get hot in Canton, and while we can sweat it out, our pets have a bit more trouble handling the heat. Their bodies cannot sweat as we do; they expel heat primarily through panting, which is much less efficient. Not the mention their fur coats don’t help matters! Additionally, severe weather such as thunderstorms and even tornadoes can cause pets anxiety, so much so that they may try to escape and end up lost or hurting themselves in the process. Use these tips to keep your cats and dogs safe during extreme summer weather.
- Never leave your pet in a parked vehicle. The temperatures inside the car can skyrocket to dangerous, deadly levels in minutes. It is not worth your pet’s life. Take them out with you or leave them at home.
- Be sure to take your daily walks earlier in the morning and later in the evening to avoid the hottest times of day.
- Keep your pet off hot asphalt. Not only can it burn your pet’s paws, but the heat radiating off the pavement can raise their body temperature, too.
- If a storm is in the forecast, make sure to bring your pet inside well before it hits. They can sense weather changes more acutely than us and may try to escape even before the storm is apparent.
- Ensure your pet has their collar, ID tags, and a microchip. These all are essential for helping your pet get back home to you in case they do escape. Ask your veterinarian about a microchip at your next visit.
The Trouble with Ticks
Ticks are just one of the parasites your pet has to worry about, but they are one of the most dangerous. Ticks have become an increasing problem in Canton and the greater state of Michigan. The most common ticks in our area include the American dog tick, the black-legged tick (or deer tick) and the lone star tick. Less common are the woodchuck tick and the brown dog tick. Not all ticks carry disease, but the most common species in our area could potentially transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or anaplasmosis to your pet (or you!). Ticks can potentially feed for several days after they attach to their host, which helps in discovering them, but also gives them plenty of time to transmit disease. The best way to deal with tick-borne illnesses is to prevent them all together. Here are some ways you can keep your family safe:
- Always check yourself, your family, and your pet for ticks after a hike in the woods.
- Ensure your pet is current on parasite preventatives which can prevent a tick from biting at all.
- Vaccinate your dog with the Lyme disease vaccine if they are often outdoors in tick-infested areas with you.
- If you do find a tick on your dog or yourself, remove as soon as possible with tweezers, making sure to grasp the whole body, including the head. Should you be uncomfortable removing the tick on your own, bring them to your veterinarian.
To ensure the safety of your pet and family, follow our summer safety tips, and feel free to contact our animal hospital for more information or to ask us questions!