Foster Hospital for Small Animals
(508) 839-5395
Spring has Sprung: Tips to Keep your Pets Healthy and Happy
Your pet is part of your family and deserves to be cared for
and protected. Whether it’s how to keep your pet protected
in the event that he or she becomes separated from you,
what to do to keep your pet safe at home or protected in
the summer heat, there are a number of things we would
like to share.
General Safety Tips.
While many of the tips below are common sense, they
are included here as a friendly reminder:
• Establish a veterinary-patient relationship and make
sure your pet has annual checkups.
• Make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccines,
especially rabies.
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first
aid. See our article about pet first aid programs.
• Give your pet plenty of exercise. Regular exercise will
help your pet feel better and live longer.
• Use gates and childproof latches to keep pets out of
inappropriate areas within the home.
• Place medications, cleaners, chemicals and laundry
supplies out of reach.
Protect your pet
You can keep your pets safe and reduce the likelihood that
they’ll become lost or stolen by following these tips:
• Provide your pet with a collar and ID tags (keep recent
photos and written descriptions of your companion
animals on hand at all times).
• Keep your pet indoors when you’re not home.
• Have your pet microchipped. Collars can be pulled or
fall off, so this more permanent identifier and provides
an excellent way to ensure you are able to reunite.
• Consider downloading the new smartphone app Finding
Rover and register your pet by taking his/her photo.
• Spay and neuter your pet. Some studies have shown
that sterilized animals are less likely to roam.
• Leash your pet when outside – cats too!
• Make sure you are careful when guests come by to
avoid inadvertent escape.
• If your pet gets bitten by another dog, be sure to get the
name of the dog and obtain confirmation he/she is up to
date on rabies shots.
• Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched
cabinet.
• Place dangling wires from lamps, televisions,
stereos and telephones out of reach.
• Keep the toilet lid closed to prevent drowning or
drinking of harmful cleaning chemicals.
• Move house plants that may be poisonous out of
reach (the most important is the EASTER Lily).
• Learn about foods to avoid that may be hazardous
to your pet (e.g., chocolate, onions, raisins and
grapes).
55 WILLARD STREET, NORTH GRAFTON, MA 01536
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General Safety Tips continued from front page
• Clean all antifreeze from the floor and driveway, as one
taste can be lethal to animals.
• Make sure your kitten doesn’t get into danger (e.g.,
that he/she hasn’t jumped into the dryer before you
turn it on.
• Put away all sewing and craft notions, especially
thread.
• Do not unleash your pet in unfamiliar territory.
• Avoid interactions with unknown dogs (bite wounds).
Keep your pet safe in the summer heat
Follow these simple tips to help your pet stay healthy and
comfortable when the summer heat sizzles.
• Never leave your pet in a parked car.
• Watch the humidity. It’s not just the high temps that can
affect your pet. If the humidity is too high they are
unable to cool themselves and their temperature can
skyrocket, leading to heat stroke, which can be deadly in
dogs.
• Limit exercise on hot days (e.g., quiet walk). Consider
early morning or late at night as these are cooler parts
of the day and will make the walk more comfortable for
both you and your dog.
• Watch for signs of dehydration. Dogs do not sweat like
people, but instead cool off by panting and
through their feet. Small kiddie pools are
useful in helping to keep your
dog cooled.
• Cats sweat through their paws, not by panting, like
dogs. Keeping your cat inside in an air conditioned
room, in front of a circulating fan or on a cool floor
can help.
• Be particularly careful with snub-nosed dogs such as
Bulldogs and Pugs. They have smaller airways
than other dogs so it is more di�cult for them
to pant to release heat.
• Watch out for hot pavement. You might consider
doggie booties available at your local pet supply
store. Heat rises from the ground, especially asphalt,
and since dogs absorb and release heat through
their feet, walking on hot pavement can be
dangerous for your dog.
• Provide ample shade and water. Add ice to water
when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal
because they don’t obstruct air flow (as compared to
a doghouse, for example). However, use your
judgment: it’s best not to leave your dog outside if it’s
hot.
• Make sure to know your dog’s swimming ability.
When your pet is cooling off in a pool or maybe you’re
taking him or her on a boat, use a life jacket, if
appropriate. While you may think your dog can do the
doggie paddle, some dogs just can’t swim.
Spring is a time of new beginnings so take the time to
make sure that this season proves to be a healthy and
happy one for you, your family and pets by following
these pet safety tips.