April is Pet First Aid Month
Did you know that April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month? There are hundreds of tips out there about how to properly take care of your beloved pet. Pets are a part of the family, sometimes even as much as children. Keeping animals safe and healthy is very important to most pet owners, especially as we head into the hot Summer season. Although some breeds of dog can be detrimental to your California home insurance policy, they are still a part of the family!
The most common problem pet’s face in the hot weather months is heat stroke. Dogs that are left in cars, garages or shed’s for a long period of time often become short of breath, unable to relax and could even face death. If you ever come across an animal in this condition (temperature over 105 degrees), you should immediately cool them down with water and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure no organ damage was done.
Pets should also be left with an adequate amount of water for the heat and duration of their time outdoors. We suggest freezing a 2 liter bottle of water and placing it in their doghouse to provide a cool relief from the mid-summer temperatures.
Pets also need plenty of exercise in their daily routine, so morning or evening walks are best to avoid exhaustion during scorching afternoon temperatures and cement. Be sure to get your pet a yearly check-up at the veterinarian’s office just to be sure they are healthy and happy. Also…try a low-calorie snack for your pups such as carrot sticks. They are cool and refreshing…most dogs love them! For more information about how to perform CPR on your pets, visit the Red Cross Organization.
Written by: Christi Gartner
Image Credit: http://www.myoutdoorbuddy.com
