Cat Trees and Pet Supplies

Make all the backyard barbeques, and family vacations more enjoyable this summer, by including your four-legged family members . By following a few summer pet safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy the months of sun and fun.

• Never leave Your Pet in the Car.  Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down. If you need to run some errands, leave the furry ones at home.
• Keep them leashed.  When outside enjoying the warm weather, keep them leashed. It will keep her from getting lost, fighting other animals, and eating and drinking things that could make her sick. This tip isn’t just for dogs–even cats can learn to walk on a leash if you train them.
• Stay Hydrated.  Indoors or out, both you and your pet need access to plenty of fresh water during the summer, so check her water bowl several times a day to be sure it’s full. If you and your furry friend venture out, bring plenty of water for both of you.
• Sunscreen.  Even with all that fur, your pets can sunburn, particularly if she has light skin and hair. Sunburn in animals can cause problems similar to those it can cause in people, including pain, peeling, and skin cancer. Try to keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and when you do go out, rub a bit of sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of her ears, the skin around her lips, and the tip of her nose.
• No drinking from Puddles.  When you’re walking your pet, make sure she doesn’t sneak a drink from the street.  The puddles may contain antifreeze or other chemicals.  Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like, but is extremely toxic.
• Watch for over-exertion.  Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps her body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace and make sure she has plenty of water. If she’s panting a lot or seems exhausted, it’s time to stop.
•  Keep Elderly, very young, and ill animals out of the heat.  They have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days. Dogs with snub noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can’t pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat. Overweight dogs also have a hard time in the heat.  Their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities.
• Bring them inside.  Animals shouldn’t be left outside unsupervised on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible. If you must leave your pet in the backyard, keep a close eye on her and bring her in when you can.  If you will be gone for a while, make sure she has a pet house for shelter, and plenty of water.
• Brush, brush, brush.  Keeping your pet well groomed will help her hair protect her from the sun and insulate her from the heat. If she has extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, her fur may trap too much heat, so you may want to clip her.