Tips to Keep Pets Safe During Summer

As Temperatures Rise, Pet Owners Must Take Precautionary Steps to Keep Furry Family Members Safe

The World Wide Pet Industry Association, Inc. (WWPIA), the oldest non-profit organization within the industry promoting responsible growth and development of the companion pet and related products and services, announced today a list of tips to keep pets safe during the sweltering summer months.

"Summer is great in that it gives consumers more time outside with their pets," said Doug Poindexter, executive vice president, WWPIA. "However, it also brings lots of risks including high temperatures, exposure to outdoor elements and an increased threat of fleas and ticks. In our efforts to promote responsible pet care, we've created a list of tips to keep your pet safe while in the car, at the beach, and while simply playing outside."

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY

Summer months see more Americans hitting the road for weekend trips and extended vacations. More and more pets are now joining their owners on these trips. When traveling with your pet in the car, it's important to follow these tips:

Use Proper Restraint: When traveling in your vehicle, your pet should always be properly restrained for both your and their safety. In the case of an accident, a dog can weigh up 30 times its weight upon impact while traveling at 35 mph. Today, many companies create seatbelt systems and crates to keep animals safely secured while on the road.

Never Leave Your Pet In the Car: In 70 degree weather and above, it takes only minutes for the temperatures in your car to escalate to triple digits. Leaving the window open an inch does not provide adequate ventilation. Many states are passing laws that prohibit leaving your pet alone in your automobile. So if your car is parked, please make sure to remove your pet from the car.

Bring Water: Car travel can make your pets feel anxious and result in nervous panting. Be sure to take frequent breaks during your trip to allow your pet the opportunity to re-hydrate.

OUTDOOR PLAY

Hot summer temps can often change your daily routine with your pet. Depending on where you live, it may be too hot to take your pet outside during the day. Pet owners must take precautionary steps to make sure their pets are adequately hydrated and not overheating when playing outdoors during the summer.

Avoid Pavement in Hot Weather: Your dog has very sensitive paw pads, and the hot asphalt during the summer months can burn them. Instead, opt to walk your pet on grass or plan your walks during the early morning/late evening when the pavement is not as hot.

Know the Symptoms of Heat stroke: Dogs cannot cool down as easily as humans and are more likely to suffer heat stroke during the summer. The symptoms of overheating include excessive panting, drooling, sluggish and unresponsiveness.

Dogs with thick coats, short muzzles and heart or breathing problems are at greater risk for heat stroke and should remain indoors with air conditioning during extremely hot days.
Refill Pet Medications/Combat Fleas and Ticks: Insect populations increase during the summer months, escalating the chances that your pet will come into contact with ticks and fleas. Make sure that your pet is up-to-date with their heartworm shots and refill their flea and tick medications.

WATER SAFETY

Pets, like small children, face the risk of drowning from not knowing how to swim. A responsible pet owner should be aware of the dangers that pools, rivers, lakes and the ocean present to pet owners. Acknowledging these dangers and using precaution will prevent you from putting your pet in harm's way.

Limit Access to Pools: Many dogs do not know how to swim. If you own a pet, make sure that your pool is securely fenced off from the rest of your backyard and that the gate is always closed when people enter and leave the pool area.

Invest in a Life Preserver: Most dogs are not great swimmers. If you plan to vacation on a boat or stay near a body of water with your pet, it would be a wise investment to purchase a life preserver. Companies have created vests outfitted specifically for pets.

Limit Time in Water: If your dog does enjoy swimming outdoors, be sure to limit the amount of time they spend in the water. A dog that is overexerted and can't swim back to shore is especially susceptible to drowning.

For more information on pet safety and articles relating to your pet, please visit www.petsource.org, your pet information resource.

About The World Wide Pet Industry Association

The World Wide Pet Industry Association, Inc. (WWPIA) is the oldest pet industry organization promoting responsible growth and development of the companion pet and related products and services. As society�s �humanization� of pets grows stronger, WWPIA knows it is important to inform and educate the general public to ensure safe and healthy lifestyles for our animal friends. WWPIA plays host to America�s Family Pet Expo, the largest consumer show in the world, twice each year in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Novi, Mich. The organization also holds SuperZoo, an annual pet industry trade show that showcases a comprehensive collection of exhibits and offers a variety of informative educational seminars known as SuperZoo University. WWPIA also manages the web site PetSource.org, designed to be the leading web resource with access to information, articles and expert advice on all types of pets while uniting the pet retailer and consumer. For more information on WWPIA, please visit www.wwpia.org.

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