Summer is a wonderful season to enjoy the outdoors with your pets. However, it’s important to prepare your furry friends for the warmer weather and the potential risks that come with it. Here are some tips to help you get your cats and dogs ready for summer.
Flea and Tick Prevention:
Fleas and ticks are active in temperatures above 5 degrees, which means it’s important to begin protecting pets early in the year! While traditional flea and tick prevention products can be effective, they include pesticides and chemicals that some pet owners prefer to avoid. Alternative prevention like ultrasonic wearable devices, essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, and natural bug-repellent sprays are a great way to help prevent all types of bugs and parasites.
Proper Hydration:
As the weather gets warmer, it’s important to make sure your pets stay properly hydrated.
While providing your pets with fresh, clean water is essential, there are other ways to up their moisture intake. Adding bone broth to your pet’s diet is a great way to provide them with additional hydration and has many other health benefits. Bone broth contains amino acids and collagen, which can help to support healthy skin, coat, and joints. It also contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which help support strong bones and teeth. Additionally, bone broth is rich in gelatin, which is great for digestive health and reducing inflammation.
Another way to add moisture to your pet’s meals is by feeding a diet that includes raw food. Raw food contains a high percentage of moisture, which can boost your pet’s hydration and help maintain a healthy weight by reducing carbohydrate levels! Try incorporating bone broth and raw food into your pet’s diet this summer, we’re sure they will love it! And you can feel good about all the added health benefits your pet will receive.
Activity:
Summer is a great time to get outside and enjoy some exercise with your pets. However, it’s important to start slow and gradually increase activity levels to avoid injury after a slow winter. Take your dog for short walks or runs and gradually increase the length and intensity of the exercise. Cats can benefit from interactive toys that encourage them to play and exercise as well. Don’t forget to pack extra water for your pets if you’re out and about and take breaks in the shade on hot and humid days.
Travel:
Whether it’s a day trip to a park, or a week stay at a cottage, we hope you will be bringing your pets along! While traveling is fun, it’s important to take precautions to ensure your pets stay safe on the road. Just like humans, pets should be properly secured in a vehicle. This can be achieved by using seat belts, harnesses, or properly sized carriers. If you’re traveling with a larger dog, a harness or seat belt can be used to secure them to a seat. For cats or smaller dogs, a carrier that’s large enough for them to stand up and turn around in should be used.
It’s always a good idea to make sure your pet is familiarized with the carrier or harness before the trip. By gradually introducing the carrier or harness in the weeks leading up to the trip you can reduce stress and anxiety on the day of.
By following these simple tips, you and your furry friends can enjoy the entire summer season together!
