Complete Summer Pet Care Guide

1 Five Common Summer Illnesses

Heart disease. Overweight and elderly dogs pant hard to shed heat; constant rapid breathing strains the heart and can cause sudden death, and some are prone to heat-triggered heart trouble. Shorten and slow walks for frail seniors.

Colds. Going from a hot street into heavy air-conditioning can give a dog the sneezes and sniffles, so do not blast cold air straight at it; water and a damp towel cool it well.

Skin disease. Summer is bug season; outdoor dogs bring home fleas and ants, and shaved dogs let pests and sunlight reach the skin. Keep coats on for protection.

Heatstroke. Walk in early morning or evening, avoid midday sun, and bring water. If heatstroke hits, soak the dog, wrap it in a wet towel, and rush to the vet.

Stomach illness. Heat spoils food and water; bad food causes vomiting or gastroenteritis. Occasional warm-weather nausea may pass, but ongoing vomiting or diarrhea needs a vet.

2 Summer Pet Care Tips

Never leave a pet alone in a car; the trapped heat causes fast, dangerous overheating.

Trim paw and belly fur to help cooling, and clear ear fur on long-eared dogs to prevent mites.

Keep food hygienic; kibble ferments and spoils in heat, so serve proper amounts, leave none, and discard anything fermented.

Always have clean drinking water ready, since dogs sweat only through their paw pads and pant to regulate temperature.

Place the bed in shade with airflow, out of direct sun.

Guard against mosquitoes once the bed is in a shady spot.

Avoid midday walks; choose cooler morning and evening hours.

Watch the skin, as summer easily triggers eczema.