Ah, although we had a very short wet spring, summer in New York is in full effect; temperatures have already reached the high 90’s in parts of the country, and at least the high 80’s on Long Island and it’s only June.

If you are a pet owner (and I assume you are since you are reading this blog), there are some things that you should be aware of.

Pets in Cars

Most pet owners (particularly dog-owners) will agree that there is nothing better than seeing their pet stick his/her face out the window, tongues hanging out while the wind hits their faces. If you are a going on a long road trip, remember to take frequent stops so they can hydrate and relieve themselves. Just because you are making great time to visit grandma in South Carolina and you’re not hungry, doesn’t mean that they aren’t; give everyone’s legs a stretch every few hours.

When traveling to other states, be sure to bring several gallons of bottled tap water from home for your pets; the water in other states may be sensitive to your pet’s digestive system.

IMPORTANT: Never, under any circumstance, leave your pets unattended in the car, ever! Think about the size of your animal and the toaster oven you are baking them in when you leave them unattended. Even with the windows cracked, the heat in the car can raise 25 degrees very quickly, leading to heat exhaustion or more extreme unforgiving consequences. Not for 5 minutes, don’t do it.

Shade

During the grueling hot summer months, your pets should be in air conditioned environment most, if not all of the time… but we understand that is not possible for everyone, especially if there is a block party down the street or your bringing your furry friends with you to the beach, on picnics or to vet visits, etc. If your animals are going to be outside, make sure there is a nice, shaded area for them to cool down; also make sure they always have plenty of water (especially the smaller animals), as well as a way to get back inside or under a cover.

Believe it or not, some animals are lazy and will stay in the sun. If that’s the case, it’s time to step in and be a parent and motivate them or manually move them; heat exhaustion and/or dehydration or even sun burn are large possibilities. Sun burn and skin cancer is typically more likely on those with a white or light coat/fur but all types should be protected. Yes, your pet’s fur is there to look pretty but it’s main purpose is to protect them from cold in the winter and from the sun in the summer; make sure your animals are well groomed the entire year.

For more information, visit us at www.willowpethotel.com