夏季宠物安全提示

From longer walks to more outdoor adventures, warmer weather provides tons of opportunities for you to bond with your best friend — but summer also introduces some pet hazards to avoid. Take a look at our top five pet heat safety tips to help keep your dog or cat safe when temperatures rise.

Don't leave your dog alone in the car

Leaving your dog alone in the car, even for a few minutes, can cause heat stroke. 根据 The American Veterinary Medical Association, the temperature inside your car can climb by almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes, quickly reaching dangerous levels. This is true even on a mild, cloudy day or with the windows cracked.

Plus, many states have made it illegal to leave 无人看管的狗在车里, 和 some states allow byst和ers 和 law enforcement to break into cars to rescue pets. (Here's a quick guide from the Humane Society of the United 状态s that shares what to do if you see a pet unattended in a car.)

Instead of leaving your pet alone in the car, you can:

• 把你的宠物留在家里.
• Ask another adult to go with you. They can stay in the car with your pet 和 run the air conditioning.
• Plan ahead to make pet-friendly pit stops, which is especially important if you're 自驾游. (Some stores allow you to bring dogs inside.)
• Pick up what you need using curbside pickup, or call 和 ask for your order to be brought out to your car.

Avoid dog walks on hot asphalt

How do you know if the asphalt is too hot for your dog? Here's a quick test: Touch the pavement for a few seconds — if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet's paws.

How to protect your pet's paws from hot pavement:

• Walk dogs in the morning or evening when the pavement is cooler.
• If your dog loves to hike with you, pick dirt trails with lots of shade.
• Consider protective summer booties for your dog.

Know the signs of overheating 和 heat stroke

Trupanion, a leader of medical insurance for cats 和 dogs, sees heat stroke claims quadruple in the summer months. Note that Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, including bulldogs 和 Persian cats, are especially prone to heat stroke.

宠物不像我们会出汗. Dogs mainly cool themselves off by panting, while cats primarily sweat through their paws. Watch for these early warning signs that your pet is overheating:

• Acting sluggish, lethargic or confused
• Changes in the color of their gums 和 tongue
• 喘气困难

While we hope it never happens to your pet, recognizing early signs of heat stroke — 和 getting veterinary help as quickly as possible — may help save your pet's life. Heat stroke is very serious 和 can lead to organ failure 和 even death. 看点:

• 弱点
• 共济失调
• 心率加快
• 口水过多
• 过度的气喘吁吁

But what can you do to help keep your pet cool in the first place? 许多 炎热天气小贴士 for humans also apply to pets, including:

• Prevent dehydration by providing plenty of access to clean water both inside 和 outside. Collapsible water bowls are a great option for hydration on the go.
• 呆在室内或阴凉处.
• If you live in an area with extreme humidity, consider a 除湿机.
• If your pet can swim, a cold-water plunge can be a fun way to cool off. Just be sure to supervise your pet around a pool or large body of water.
• 得到一个 kiddie pool for your pet to splash around in (no swimming skills needed!).
• A summer haircut might help you stay cool, but it won’t have the same effect on your pet. Cutting or shaving your pet’s natural fur can interfere with their ability to stay cool.
• Consider putting sunscreen on your dog, especially those with light skin, white fur or short hair.

Watch for dangerous plants 和 pests

许多 pets have a knack for nibbling on things they shouldn't, so extra vigilance while you're outside could save your pet's life.

Take a moment to acquaint yourself with outdoor plants that are toxic for dogs，包括 狐尾草 和 西米棕榈. 如果你有 any of these plants in your yard, consider putting put a protective barrier around them or removing them.

More time spent outdoors means that flea 和 tick prevention is especially important. Ticks 和 fleas, for example, are most active during the summer months. After any hike or outdoor excursion, check your pet for any unwanted pests.

And, of course, keep your cat or dog on a 皮带 当你在外面.

Pets 和 fireworks generally don’t mix

If your dog or cat isn't a fan of fireworks, you're not alone. Trupanion put together tips to help keep your pet safe 和 secure during fireworks — give them a try 和 see how they work for your furry friend.

• Try exercising them beforeh和 to help them relax.
• Keep them at home 和 indoors.
• Make sure windows 和 doors are closed 和 secure.
• Consider a safe space or crate.
• Turn on a fan or the TV to help create white noise.
• Make certain that your pets have I.D. tags with up-to-date information.

Bonus tip: Protect your dog or cat this summer 和 beyond

A great way to help protect your pet, no matter the season: Industry-leading coverage with Trupanion, medical insurance for dogs 和 cats. Trupanion currently protects over 500,000 pets — 和 would love to protect yours, too. 得到一个 free, no-obligation quote online，或与你的 状态 Farm®代理.

Terms 和 conditions do apply. 我们喜欢明智的决定. 请参阅Trupanion 政策 有关全面pp王者电子官网详情.