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Pet Preparedness for all Seasons

Pet Preparedness for all Seasons

Taking care of our pets is a year-round responsibility, and that starts with helping them stay safe. Annual veterinarian visits, adherence to a vaccination schedule, investigating pet insurance and regular grooming sessions are all essential wellness activities that need to happen regardless of the season. Put those on the calendar, then focus on each season separately, considering the issues that are more likely to arise at each  time of year. By breaking them down into quarterly to-do lists, it’s much more manageable.

Fall safety for pets

Fall is a fabulous season to enjoy with your pet. Cooler weather can mean longer outdoor adventures, and the approach of the holiday season with its extra time spent with loved ones is in the air. Here are some safety tips for making the most of fall:

  • Food safety tips: The return of fall might mean comfort food for you, but remember that many of the e foods we enjoy aren’t safe for our pet’s consumption. Chocolate, raisins, onions and xylitol are among the items to avoid feeding your dog, along with anything that contains alcohol or caffeine. When in doubt, don’t feed table scraps.
     
  • Cold weather tips: The cooling fall weather may invigorate you, but it can aggravate aches and pains in older dogs, especially those who suffer from arthritis. Consider a heated bed or blanket to help keep them toasty at home and ask your veterinarian for their advice on supplements

  • Seasonal sickness safety tips: Fall ushers in cold and flu season for us humans. Ensure medications and vitamins, which might help you feel better but can be harmful to your dog, are safely out of your pet’s reach.

  • Outdoor safety tips: Before heading into the great outdoors with your dog, a little reconnaissance can go a long way.

    • Check your yard for outdoor hazards like poisonous plants (ones to be on the lookout for include lilies, oleander, sago palms, English ivy and chrysanthemum), or fence holes that your dog might be able to squeeze through. Other potential outdoor hazards include toxic mushrooms, yard fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides, compost and gardening tools.
       
    • Check your dog’s entire body–including their paws—every time you come inside after being outdoors. Even things like recently seeded lawns or parks can pose hazards since grass seeds can have sharp points

    • Since it gets darker earlier in fall, consider reflective products and beacons for both you and your pet.
       
  • Halloween safety tips: Halloween is an awesome opportunity to dress your pet in costume, but you’ll need to take some precautions. Make sure your pet is identifiable at all times, in and out of  costume. Consider adding a reflective dog collar to their getup to help increase their visibility. Keep costumes practical (make sure they can move freely and breathe easily), and keep all sweet human treats out of reach of your pet. For skittish animals, consider creating a calming environment for them (maybe with a quiet room, comfortable bedding and toys, where they can stay away from ringing doorbells and screaming kids). Exercise caution when decorating, tucking away electrical cords, for example, and making sure any tempting chewable items and potential choking hazards are out of mouth and paw reach.  

Winter concerns for pets

There’s a lot to love about winter, from frozen adventures to fireside lounges and the goodwill of the holiday season. With a little forethought, you can rest assured that your pet can enjoy the fun and festivities along with you.

  • Cold weather outdoor safety tips: Even if you think your dog likes cold weather, it’s important to keep a close eye on their behavior and appearance when they’re playing outside in the snow and ice. Dress them in the proper winter weather gear to help keep them as warm and dry as possible. Use your best judgment when it comes to temperature—if it’s too cold for you, it’s likely too cold for your dog.  Everyone should head inside when you are uncomfortable or your dog shows any sign of discomfort. Dogs who remain outside too long in winter elements can have trouble regulating their body temperature and can even develop hypothermia or frostbite. Signs that your pet has been outside too long and you need to contact your vet include:
    • Shivering
    • Lack of coordination
    • Pale gums
    • Slow heart rate
    • Lethargy
    • Stiff muscles
    • Discoloration of skin (often pale, gray or bluish)
    • Swelling
    • Blisters
       
  • Cold weather product safety tips: Remember that certain products you use to help manage cold weather and ice can be harmful to your pet. Keep them away from such hazards as de-icers, antifreeze and road salt, all of which can be toxic if ingested.

  • Holiday décor safety tips: Decorating for the holidays is part of the merriment of the winter season, but bits and baubles can be dangerous for your pets. Avoid any objects that pose swallowing/choking hazards (like tinsel and ribbon) and consider electric candles instead of open flames to avoid potential burns or fires. Animals can become tangled in strings of lights or garland, so keep these out of reach along with breakable objects. Secure your Christmas tree in an area where your pet can’t climb or knock it down, and remember that certain indoor plants can be hazardous to animals, so avoid them altogether. Also remember that holiday décor, noises and odd/unfamiliar smells can make your pet anxious.

Spring considerations for pet safety

When spring arrives you’re likely ready to bust out of your home to enjoy the agreeable outdoor temperatures, blooming flowers and the potential for lots of new adventures. Get prepared with these tips:

  • Flower safety tips: A romp through a field in spring sounds like just what the doctor ordered after a long winter inside, but it’s important to keep your pet away from plants and flowers that are harmful when ingested. A good starter list of plants to avoid includes:
    • Aloe
    • Apple trees
    • Boxwoods
    • Calla lily
    • Wisteria
       
  • Pest safety tips: Although you should be safeguarding your pet against pests all year round, spring brings with it some extra concerns as pest season gets into full swing. During your pet’s annual veterinary wellness exam, ask about a yearly routine that includes an up-to-date heartworm prescription, as well as flea and tick prevention. Even with the right course of tick prevention, it’s helpful to also know the proper way to remove a tick should you find one on your pet. Check your pet after every outdoor adventure to make sure their coat is free and clear, and if you do find a tick, remove it,  then immediately call your veterinarian to discuss next steps.

Summer safety preparedness

Summer can be a delightful season for a number of reasons. With kids out of school, families are more likely to take time off and travel if they can (even if it’s a short distance), all of which means more time to spend with your pet. Sunny, warm weather makes it a great time for outside adventures as well, as long as you’re properly prepared.

  • Sun and heat safety tips: Warm weather and sun can be nice, but as the temperature rises so does the potential for heat-related complications for your pet. Pay particular attention to:

    • Car temperatures: Leaving your pet in a car is a serious health hazard for them, especially when air conditioning is off and the car is in direct sunlight. But even in shade and with the air conditioning on, leaving a pet alone in a car is not recommended. You might be surprised by how quickly things can heat up. A temperate 75-degree day can quickly equal 100 to 120 degrees in a car, and if your pet is inside, they can sustain brain damage, or even death, within just 15 minutes.

    • Walking surfaces: Asphalt and concrete can be pretty uncomfortable walking surfaces for your pup in summer. Remember that it’s possible to fry an egg on asphalt in just 5 minutes. For the comfort and safety of pup paws in hot summer months, you may need to adjust your walking times, locations and surfaces.

    • Staying hydrated: It’s especially important to pay attention to your pet’s water intake and cooling needs during the hottest months. Cats can be finicky when it comes to water consumption, but in general, a healthy cat should drink  at least 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per day for every 5 pounds of body weight. To encourage them to drink, keep multiple bowls of fresh water throughout the house and consider an automatic water fountain, since moving water can be extra appealing to felines. Cats who eat wet food naturally get more hydration through their meals than those who eat only dry food. A cat who’s lethargic, loses their appetite or seems depressed may be suffering from dehydration. Consult your veterinarian immediately if your cat fits those descriptions, and check out this piece for more tips about keeping your cat hydrated. Dogs are more likely to readily drink their water than cats, but it’s still important to provide your pup with easy access to fresh water at all times, and adding moisture to their meals is another way to up their hydration during those warm months.
       
    • Cooling tips: Removing excess fur through regular grooming can help both cats and dogs stay cool in summer. Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest times of the day.

  • Travel safety tips: Hitting the open road with your pet might seem like a super-fun adventure—and it can be—but it’s important to take proper precautions. For example, it helps to acclimate your dog to car rides on shorter excursions before heading out on a 12-hour road trip, and you’ll want to make sure you have the proper harness seat belts, kennels or car seats for your dog’s size. If your dog gets car sick, talk to your veterinarian about medications that can help settle their stomach. Being prepared means bringing cleaning supplies (for accidents) as well as pet essentials like plenty of food and fresh water. And don’t forget their treats and favorite toys. If your pet  will be along for a car ride, plan for frequent breaks, too, so they can get out to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs. Remember to pack waste bags and all the gear they’ll need for walking, like a sturdy, well-fitting harness and leash. Be sure to confirm that your final destination is pet friendly, and update their microchip and tag information before leaving.

  • Fourth of July fireworks safety tips: Watching fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations is an American pastime that many pets would rather skip. Shaking or trembling, licking their lips, hiding, pacing, salivating excessively or urinating or defecating indoors are all signs that your pet is stressed. If you know that fireworks upset your pet, provide them with a safe space in your home to relax. Playing music or turning on a TV can help drown out the noise from the fireworks and hopefully help your pet stay calm. If none of these options have worked, talk to your veterinarian about anxiety medications or calming supplements or try a calming wrap—a vest or shirt that’s designed to help relieve anxiety and reduce stress.

Having a pet equals year-round fun, and making the most of the seasons is a wonderful way to incorporate the great outdoors, festivities and holidays into your routine. Taking the above precautions can help your pet enjoy the seasons, too, while you help keep them safe no matter where your adventures take you. Talk with your veterinarian about any of your seasonal-specific questions and stop by your local Petco or shop online to stock up on any products you might need.

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