Help Your Dog Enjoy Water Adventures with Your Family
During the dog days of summer, we all love to cool down with some water fun. From the pool, to the beach, to the lake, there’s so much to do– and so much opportunity to include our dogs! Here’s a video from the Animal Humane Society with some helpful tips.
Many dogs love the water, like retrievers, setters, spaniels and mixes of those breeds. Other dog breeds are known for being water-shy like short-legged pugs and bulldogs or many smaller dogs.
Introduce water fun to your dog in a safe environment. A small amount of water in a kiddie pool in the backyard is a good place to start. If your dog’s instinct is to avoid water sports, don’t try to force it.
Summer Water Safety: Swimming
Swimming in a pool or lake is great, fun exercise. Water safety is just as important for pets as for people. You may already know all of these safety tips, but it never hurts to refresh our memories:
Make sure your dog has an easy way to exit the water and is not trapped. Show them the pool stairs or shore, so they know how to get to dry land.
If your dog is not a strong swimmer, consider a dog life jacket that’s properly fitted and rated for their weight.
Don’t force your dog to enter the water or go deeper than they are comfortable with. Your dog’s best summer day may just be watching you from the shade.
Don’t let your dog drink pool or lake water– pool chemicals and lake bacteria alike are not safe for drinking.
Don’t put your dog in a hot tub. It’s too hot for them.
Watch for wildlife, like snakes and turtles. Even a frog can sometimes find its way into a pool.
Summer Water Safety: At the Ocean
The sea is a whole new world for your pup. You will love seeing the joy at experiencing new adventures! The ocean is also a wild place. Here are important tips for water safety:
Offer your pet plenty of fresh water and keep them from drinking seawater. Salt water is dangerous to drink, for any animal or human.
Don’t let your dog get up close and personal with sea life. We need to respect the safety of ocean creatures, plus your dog could be seriously injured by many critters, like crabs and jellyfish.
As with swimming, use a dog life jacket. Ocean waves are unpredictable.
Keep your dog on a leash. It’s easy to get lost or get in a dangerous situation if your dog is not under your control.
Provide periods of shade and rest to prevent heat stroke.
Summer Water Safety: Boating
From fishing to waterskiing to floating on the lake, boating with your dog might just be the perfect summer day. Keep these safety tips in mind:
100% always use a dog life jacket that properly fits and is rated for your dog’s weight.
Always know where your dog is on the boat. Dogs may jump or fall from the boat and become lost. You may wish to keep your dog leashed and hold onto the leash.
Bring along fresh water and food for your dog, especially if you’re planning an all-day outing.
You’ll also need to plan an on-shore potty break for your dog.
Give your dog a shady spot to rest on the boat.
Keep fishing lures and bait safely stowed away.
Also keep human food an alcohol out of reach of your pup.
We wish you and your dog an amazing summer! Share pictures of your summer adventures with us on Facebook!
The U.S. Fire Administration keeps statistics on residential fires. For the latest year on record, the US saw 374,300 fires, making this a fairly common danger that everyone needs to plan for.
We especially need to plan ahead for how to rescue and care for our pets in the event of a fire (or any emergency requiring evacuation). Animals won’t know how to safely leave, and they certainly can’t follow a home emergency plan. Here are four pet fire safety tips:
Get a rescue alert sticker: Place these stickers on a front-facing window or glass door. This will alert rescue workers of the presence of pets. Get one from the ASPCA.
Arrange a safe haven: Plan for a place for pets to stay if you have to evacuate.
Make identifying your pet easy: Keep identification on your pet and have them microchipped, in case they escape during an emergency.
Pet Fire Safety in the News
A recent story out of Colorado Springs highlights that prevention is the best way to ensure pet fire safety. Here are the details:
“Authorities have released a video of a dog starting a house fire by turning on the stove in the middle of the night. The incident happened when a Colorado couple awoke to a high heat alert from their Apple HomePod last week, only to find a fire blazing in their kitchen. Colorado Springs firefighters responded to the fire in the early morning hours of June 26. Investigators discovered the surprising cause of the blaze after reviewing home security footage. The video shows the couple’s curious pup inspecting the stove and accidentally turning it on, which ignited some boxes on top. Fortunately, the owners were able to extinguish the flames, and the man was treated for smoke inhalation.”
Thankfully, this incident wasn’t any worse than it was. But watching that dog try to get the food boxes sitting on the stove is scary. It’s a reminder for all pet owners that fire safety is a 24/7 occupation. Of course, those boxes should never have been placed on the stovetop. But what other lessons can we learn and apply in our own homes? Take a walk around your home with your “safety goggles” on and see if you spot any areas for improvement.
Summer is the Top Season for Lost Pets.
Keep Yours Safe and Sound
While many of us know that more pets go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year, the entire summer season carries risk for your pet to escape or become lost. People and their pets are spending more time outside, traveling together and hosting gatherings. With these changes in routine, your pet has more opportunity than usual to slip away.
Let’s review 15 other steps to prevent a lost pet this summer.
Prevent a Lost Pet:
5 Steps to Take Outside
Your outdoor oasis is only complete when your pet can safely venture outside with you!
Check your fences to make sure there’s no place your dog can escape. Our clever canines can sneakily dig holes under the fence, or boards can become loose.
If your let your cat outside, supervise them. It only takes one accident or predator for a roaming cat to go missing.
With the rise in coyotes around the Cincinnati area, an invisible fence may present a safety risk to your dog. Plus, some dogs are determined enough to endure the shock and break through the barrier.
Leash your dog or cat if you’re going to spend time with them in an un-fenced area like the front porch. You never know when something may grab their attention or frighten them, causing them to bolt.
If there’s a likelihood of fireworks in the area, keep your pets inside, with the doors and windows securely closed.
Prevent a Lost Pet:
5 Steps to Take When Traveling
Vacationing with your pet can be fun for everyone! It’s important to prioritize safety, because reuniting with a lost pet far away from home is especially difficult.
Put together a car emergency kit for your pet, which includes leash, food, water bowl, water and important medications. An extra leash it important just in case your car breaks down (or your pet has to “go” unexpectedly during the drive).
Always bring a pet carrier on trips, so you can safely contain your pet whenever your attention isn’t on them, for instance, stopped at gas stations or checking into a hotel.
Plan for water safety at the beach or on a boat. Put a properly-sized life jacket on your pet, keep them leashed and always supervise them. It’s not uncommon for dogs to go missing around water, and we want to prevent tragedies.
Don’t leave your pet unattended in a car! Even on a pleasant day, the heat can quickly be fatal. Plus, someone may have rescued your pet while you were away. See our article “Danger Zone: How to Help Pets in Hot Cars.”
If you’re staying at a rental home with a fenced-in area, thoroughly check for any place your pet might escape. Don’t leave them unsupervised out there, because it’s not a familiar place to either of you.
Prevent a Lost Pet:
5 Steps to Take When Hosting a Party
For many, having friends and family over is a true summer tradition. And the season is filled with holidays perfect for parties. Follow these tips for keeping your pet from escaping in all the excitement.
Constantly opening and closing doors are a big temptation to cats and dogs alike. Alert guests to watch for your pet and enter and exit quickly, along with firmly closing the door behind them.
The same advice goes for outside gates. Keep an eye on your gates to make sure they are closed.
If things get noisy, pets may try to escape the chaos. Give your pets a designated safe place where they can get some peace and quiet. Perhaps make one room of your home off-limits to people.
Check in with your pet regularly. You’ll be able to gauge their mood and attitude, along with making sure they are still safe.
If you’re having a difficult time keeping track of your pet, feel free to keep them on a leash by your side. They may also find this comforting.
For more tips on pet prevention, visit our article “National Lost Pet Prevention Month.” And if you’re interested in learning more about microchipping your cat or dog, contact us.
Sunny Days are Here Again: Review What to Do (and Don’t) for Pet Health
Your pets want to enjoy an amazing summer with you. We at Companion Care Animal Hospital want to help everyone out with these simple tips. Here are the DO’s and DON’Ts of summer safety.
DO: Summer Safety Tips for Pets
Follow these tips for helping your pet enjoy a safe and happy summer.
Provide pets with cool, fresh water at all times
Keep pets up-to-date on vaccinations and medications
Keep pets indoors in air-conditioning during the heat of the day
Walk your dogs early in the morning or late in the day, when temperatures are cooler
Limit jogging and bicycling with your dog
Apply a zinc-free sunscreen to pets with little to no hair
DON’T: Summer Safety Tips for Pets
Avoid these dangerous and risky things!
Leave pets unattended in cars!
Leave dogs outdoors unattended
Let pets near gardening products, pesticides or fertilizers
Walk dogs on hot sidewalks or asphalt that burns their paws
At 125 degrees F, skin destruction can occur in 60 seconds. An egg can fry in five minutes at 131 degrees F. Please, keep your pets off asphalt, even in “nice” weather.
Avoid a “Hot Dog Summer!” Visit our Summer Pet Safety Resources for more guidance on keeping things cool in the months to come.
It’s been a record-setting hot month here in Cincinnati. Pets need special protection against high temperatures.
The SPCA of Texas has plenty of experience with the heat (a week ago, the US National Weather Service baked cookies in a Midland, TX parked car). Let’s take some guidance and follow these tips.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke
Always provide plenty of fresh, clean water for your pet. This is especially important both before and after walks (or anytime spent outside).
If you’re outside, spend time in shade as much as possible.
Limit the time you spend outside during the heat of the day. Mornings and evenings are cooler (for you and your pet!)
Keep pet’s paws off of the pavement, either by choosing grassy areas or putting booties on their paws.
Don’t bring your pet to pet-friendly outdoor restaurants on hot days. Patios heat up, and your dog is closer to the ground. If you do go, bring your own water bowl.
Let the AC run in your car for a few minutes before climbing in with your pet.
Check out these three activities for outdoor fun all summer long. There are plenty of date options to fit your schedule. We just love pet-friendly events!
Dogs & Doughnuts at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
Enjoy a stroll through the 300+ acres of beautiful Pyramid Hill Sculpture park with your pup! Plus, enjoy light refreshments (like doughnuts!) and a special craft activity each date.
Price: Included with Park admission (Free for members, non-members are up to $10/person)
June 3: Joni Fleming will draw complementary caricatures of you and your pup(s)
July 1: Craft activity TBA
August 5: Craft activity TBA
October 1: Adoption event with Animal Friends Humane Society
Saturdays from 7-9:30 PM, bring your family and pets to to this Lawrenceburg, IN winery for an outdoor music festival, featuring different artists each evening. Bring a picnic and enjoy a wine tasting. Here are a few of the musical acts on the schedule:
June 3: Mark Scheper, Trop Rock, Beach Boys
June 10: Josh Wells, Acoustic Classical Country
June 17: Ethan Hopper, covers and originals
June 24: Boomerang, cello, guitar and violin trio covers 70s-90s
At the Barn Winery
4152 N Dearborn Road
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Washington Park Dog Park: Washington Park, across from Music Hall, offers a fenced-in dog play space. It features a water feature, cement and artificial turf (so no mud!)
Sharon Woods Park: Hike beautiful trails with your leashed pet. There are plenty of wooded and lakeside areas.
Simmonds Family Dog Park: A park designed just for dogs! Four fenced-in areas for small dogs, large dogs, agility and all dogs.
From Artsy to Zany, See What’s Happening in the Cincinnati Area
Looking to get out of the house to do something fun? We’ve found these unique and interesting gatherings in the Cincinnati area.
Make a Blown Glass Pet Bowl
Neusole Glassworks is a glass art studio open to the public, located in Forest Park. They cater to all ages and skill levels.
Join glass blowing artists as they guide you in making a beautiful bowl for your pet’s water or food. There’s even an option to emblazon your pet’s name on the bowl! This event runs through August 2022.
MadTree Brewing in Oakley hosts this Harry-Potter themed event. Enjoy craft beer while a professional artist guides you in painting a one-of-a-kind likeness of your pet.
You’ll submit your pet’s photo ahead of time, and an artist will sketch it on canvas. The event is Saturday, August 20, 2022.
Bring your best bud to Great American Ballpark for a memorable game! Enjoy pregame activities (and maybe a hot dog). Remaining Bark in the Park games are August 16 and September 12.
It’s time to register your dachshund for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati’s Running of the Wieners. Registration is limited to 100 dogs, so hurry! The race is September 16, 2022 and is always popular.
It’s National Pet Month, and your pet deserves the best! Think back on all the ways your pet has enriched your life– being there for you when you need a friend, all the cute antics, making you laugh and smile.
So, pack your month with a celebration of your pet! Here are 31 ideas for the month of May.
What Better Time than the Dog Days of Summer to Understand the Signs and Dangers of Dehydration?
On a normal day, your cat or dog should drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight. So, a nine-pound cat should drink nine ounces, and a 35-pound dog should drink 35 ounces. On hotter days, or if your pet is more active, they should drink more.
PetSafe has a great pet hydration infographic that shows how many “glasses” of water pets should drink.
Signs of Dehydration in Cats and Dogs
Dehydration is serious for animals and can ultimately result in death. Know the symptoms of dehydration:
Loss of appetite
Loss of energy
Sunken eyes
Depression
Panting
Dry, tacky gums
Vomiting
What to Do if You Suspect Your Dog or Cat is Dehydrated
Perform the skin test and call your veterinarian if your suspect dehydration. Here’s how to do it:
Gently grab a loose fold of skin on the back of the neck or in between the shoulder blades, and release
If the skin snaps back into place, your pet should be OK. It the skin slowly returns to place, your pet could be dehydrated and may need to be checked out.
Certainly, prevention is the best approach to dehydration. Always make sure your pet has easy access to fresh, clean water. Enforce rest time after playing or spending time outside, so your pet becomes aware they should drink. And pay attention to how much your pet is drinking by observing how often you need to refill their water bowl.
Have questions about dehydration and your pets? Contact us.
