My first Publication CC April Edition-19-High Resolution | Page 18

Pet Care
WATCHOUT! SUMMERS ARE HERE
By Editorial Team
s much as we enjoy the
vacations to the beaches
and the hill stations, the
pool parties and the picnics,
we also fear the wrath of
summers. Th e same goes for
our pets, unsaid. When the temperature
rises up, the danger to pets also goes up.
Whether your furry friend is a dog, cat
or chinchilla, they can encounter some
serious risks. If you get sun burnt, hot
fl ashes, dehydrated, your furry friends
remains at an equal risk of suff ering them.
Th e gist of the matter is that as a pet
owner, you must be well prepared to keep
your pets safe during summers. We are
sharing some must-know pet safety tips to
keep your beloved four legged companion
healthy during summers. Aft er all, It's not
all fun in the sun.
A
Ticks
With all the time your pet spends outdoor,
one of the biggest dangers it is exposed
to is ticks. In summer days, either you
yourself should checkl your pet or get it
checked for ticks, everytime it goes out for
a walk. Especially, if it is meeting others of
its kind or is being taken for walk through
woodland. Ticks carry a number of viruses
including Lyme disease, but the symptoms
are oft en very hard to spot. Dogs may
appear to be tired or feverish or might
become lame. So, talk to your vet ahead of
time for an eff ective tick medication, and
only use products that are made for the
type of pet you own. Th ere are powders,
bands and sprays available in the market,
which would prevent your pet from ticks.
It is important for the pet owner to get
its companion rid of ticks, because apart
from the itching, irritation and agitation,
they also cause serious problems such as
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patch-fall (hairfall in patches) and low
haemoglobin. kids also, who love pets, they will surely
have a blast.
Dehydration and Heatstroke
Being a human, you also know how
uncomfortable one gets due to dehydration
or the troubles that a heatstroke impinges
on us. Th ink about the threats that
dehydration and heatstroke bring for
your pet! A pet should always have access
to fresh & clean water regardless of the
season. A pet parent should always carry
a portable water bowl on walks and bring
them on vacation or long drives. Dogs
with a short nose, like pugs, Japanese chins
and bulldogs, pets with dark fur or skin,
animals that are overweight or ones that
have thick coats like Himalayan or Persian
cats are prone to heat stress. Watch out for
these symptoms:
• Excessive lethargy
• Decreased urination
• Dry gums
• Refusal to eat
• Sunken eyes
• Decreased skin elasticity
• Loose motions
• Vomits
• Dry Tongue Pools and Water
Despite all that YouTube may tell us, cats
and rabbits don't like to swim.
To check, gently pinch your pet's skin near
the shoulder up into the shape of a tent.
If the skin is slow to snap back, your pet
might be dehydrated.
Don't worry if your dog is panting.
Th at’s how they keep themselves cool.
More their bopdy temperature is, the more
they will pant. Other ways to cool your
companion include fans, allowing your pet
to stay in the rooms with AC or coolers, ice
packs for snippets of time, frozen treats,
kiddie pools and sprinklers. If you have
Creature Companion | April 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 4 • Noida
Also, we must know that there are specifi c
breeds iof dogs which are categorised
as Water Dogs. So, not all dogs have
mastered the technique of doggie paddle.
Some may not like water, some might be
seriously hydrophobic and certain breeds
like pugs and terriers may have trouble
in swimming because of their body type.
Before you bring your pet to the beach
or pool, buy a fl otation device or gear to
keep your running mate safe. If you are
planning for a boating trip with your dog
this summer, make sure that it doesn't
jump overboard, since you are unaware of
the chemical level and the minutely visible
insects of that water body, which might
end up harming your pet in progressive
and latent ways. Also, one should never try
to force its pet into water.
If you are lucky because your pet enjoys
splashing water around, always rinse them