CITY PETS - Susan Luffey [CITYSunTimes July 2011]

Celebrating Safely With Pets

Independence Day is no “blast” for pets, and the Arizona Animal Welfare League and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offer these tips for pet owners for a safe July 4 holiday:

Do not take pets to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep them safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area inside your home.

Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear of loud noises, pets may escape or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.

Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so remove any items your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed.

Make sure your pets have a microchip and are wearing identification tags. Animals found running at-large without owner identification should be taken to Maricopa Animal Care and Control, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects – even death – in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air.

Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended near pets. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also possible.

If you are using a barbeque grill, keep an eye on your pet. Be sure anything hot is out of reach of hungry dog noses and remember, some food and drink may be toxic to pets.

For more information on keeping your pets safe this summer, visit www.aawl.org.

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CITY PETS

They’re Not Just Pets…They’re Family

It’s Summertime, But The Livin’ Ain’t Easy

By Susan Luffey

Summer is our annual break. It is synonymous with fun and laziness, but the Arizona sun that brings us relaxation should not be underestimated. By observing some guidelines, you can ensure pet safety while maintaining a summer spirit for the whole family.
Always ensure that Fido has shade, ventilation and cool water, especially outside. For larger dogs, a well-cleaned, five-gallon bucket filled with cool water will prevent accidental water shortage if Fido gets rowdy nearby. Placing a rock in the container will provide additional tipping over security.
If pets spend more time outdoors than inside, install a mister system or swamp cooler on your patio. This will also keep the family cool, and it may even encourage children to play with sidewalk chalk outside next time. A pet-dedicated kiddie pool will also cool Fido off if you don’t mind occasional paw prints inside.
Limit pet exercise to the cooler, early morning hours. Remember, if the asphalt is too hot for your hand, then it is too hot for your dog. Dog booties protect feet and are sold at most pet stores. With older, short-nosed, and thick-coated dogs, take extra precaution as they are more susceptible to heat-related issues.
Please leave pets at home when running errands. Animals left in cars while the owner runs into a store for “just a minute” can suffer heat exhaustion, heat stroke or brain damage, as the inside of a car can reach 120 degrees within minutes.
Fourth Dog Summer monsoons and Fourth of July fireworks can upset pets. Consult your veterinarian in advance to prepare for pet anxiety. Keep your pet in a safe space indoors, and play a TV or radio to drown out sounds. Ensure Fido is tagged or microchipped in case he slips out of the house for a midnight run.
If you take just a few precautionary steps, summer will remain safe and carefree for the whole family, and your pets will certainly love you for it.

Susan Luffey is the owner of Pampered Pets & Plants, Inc. For more information, call 602.547.1121 in the Greater Phoenix area, or 888.547.1121 in Maricopa and Prescott or visit www.pamperedpetsandplants.com.