Summer Pet Safety Tips in Greenwood, IN: Help Your Pet Have a Safe, Enjoyable Summer
Your pet deserves to enjoy their summer. Whether that involves fetching frisbees in the park or just basking in the sun, we want them to keep doing what they love without risking their health. Through rain or shine, our veterinarians are here to offer helpful advice so you can be the best guardian for your pet. See our summer safety tips for Greenwood pets in the section below.
Heat Protection
- Always have fresh water on hand to keep your pet hydrated.
- Never leave them out in the sun or in a parked car unattended. Pets can succumb to heatstroke very quickly.
- Make sure your pet has a shady spot to rest if they’re out in the yard. Even better, fill a small wading pool to ankle height for your pet to enjoy.
- If your pet has a short/fine and/or white coat, they can be prone to sunburn, so be extra careful about bringing them outdoors.
- Don’t walk your pet on hot asphalt; this will burn their paw pads. Take your walks at dawn or sunset instead.
Severe Weather Preparation
- Your veterinarian can prescribe medication or some other solution to help your pet remain calm during storms and other noisy events (such as fireworks celebrations).
- Make sure your pet is wearing updated ID tags on their collar and has a microchip. Microchips can greatly increase the chances of a reunion between lost pets and their owners.
- In case of a tornado, have a designated shelter that you and your pet can access easily. Practice “drills” to teach your pet where to go and to not be fearful. If you have cats, work on getting them used to their carrier.
- If you and your pet are sheltering in your house during a storm, check that all windows and doors are secure to prevent any opportunities for your pet to bolt.
Preventing Parasites
- The best way to protect your pet from fleas, ticks, and heartworm disease is to administer monthly preventives throughout the year. If your pet is unprotected, please visit our animal hospital for recommendations.
- Clean up after your pet when they do their business outside. Contact with feces is an easy way for other animals to become infected with intestinal parasites.
- Try to keep your pet out of places where ticks might congregate, such as tall grasses, brush, wooded areas near bodies of water, etc.
- If you and/or your pet do happen to walk through these areas, check yourself and your pet (comb through their coat and check their ears, tail, and paws) before going into the house.
Let us know if you have questions about the tips listed above. We’re here to help if you have other concerns about your pet’s safety this summer. Just give us a call at (317) 851-5000.
"Great place!!!!! Would recommend to anyone!!! They care about your fur animals and are truly there to help."
-Jaime Z.