Do you and your pet enjoy getting outdoors for some adventures in nature? So that the fun times can keep on rolling, we’d recommend preparation for and vigilance against a few potential summer hazards.
1. Ticks
If you and your pet will be travelling to a tick-endemic region, ensure that your pet will be well protected against ticks and other parasites. Given that some systemic tick products (oral chews or injections) can take 1-3 days to reach full effect, we’d advise administering them at least three days before your planned trip.
Although Albany is lucky enough not to be a tick zone, areas north of Geraldton are now considered endemic to the brown dog tick, which hosts the nasty bacteria Ehrlichia, and states on the east coast of Australia are home to the life-threatening Paralysis Tick.
Given that no tick prevention is 100% effective, it’s also a good idea to bring along a tick removal device and search your pet daily for ticks.
2. Heatstroke
If your pet is a breed more prone to heatstroke (such as a flat-faced or thick coated breed), we’d advise against any outdoors activity during warm or humid weather. For other breeds, it’s still safest to avoid strenuous activity in the heat of the day.
On hot summer days, all pets should have access to shade and cool drinking water, and heatstroke-prone pets should preferably be kept indoors with a fan or air-conditioning. See the below article for more information!
3. Snakes
If you’re planning on travelling to bushy areas with your pet, we’d recommend keeping them by your side on lead to help avoid dangerous snake encounters. Snakes normally only strike when stepped on or otherwise threatened, and some pets just can’t help themselves (we’re looking at you, terriers!).
4. Dietary indiscretions
If you know that your pet has scavenging tendencies, it’s best to keep them on lead during summer walks. With a rise in outdoor activities such as barbeques, picnics and fishing, there unfortunately comes an increase in available toxins or foreign bodies that your pet could ingest.
For more advice on avoiding common hot-weather hazards, consult our summer-ready team!