You  in all probability think of on the safety of your family. Please do not forget your pets. This is a crucial element of pet care. Summer is particularly difficult and different for your animal. The two areas to watch for are the effects of warmer weather and vacations.

Lets start with the results of the heat on the pet. Just like us – they will want more water, keep it on hand at all times. If you frequently go dog walking ensure they have the ability to have water, every sixty minutes or so, or even more often if you are of the lively type.

Whilst you would not think or leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is astounding and a disgrace the number of people who do this to their animals. This can kill an animal, temperatures in the sun, can swiftly increase to over 100 degrees. Leaving the window slightly ajar, does not help that much.

Just like ourselves, with the same amount of activity, you need less food to preserve your weight in the summer. If you, or your pet, keep consuming the same, you certainly will increase your weight. Pet obesity is increasing everywhere. Putting on weight during summer, may slow the pet down in winter and this can then lead to more weight gain, so think of reducing the food, or as a minimum, monitor your animals weight.

Also be careful with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most quickly go off as its temperature gets near to blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the pet does not consume moist food within thirty minutes, through it away. Dry food is completely safe, if does not become moist. So if you have a slobbery animal, little and often should be the principle. Watch out for condensation, or drips from the air conditioner.

Whilst exercising the dog in the heat, you may have done it for the last six months without a problem, watch out, he may without warning want to jump into some water, with company – you if you do not let go of the lead. Even more risky is the leap into a canal, if he is not on a leash. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, you can often see people being hauled in! Not helped by them chasing the ducks. In summer there are often more animals around for them to chase, so be even more careful.

Summer, is often the time of the great vacation. So if you must find a pet sitter, try to find a professional business such as London Pet Sitting, who vet and train their pet sitters. A professional pet sitter, will even check out all the dangers as part of their agreement. This is often the wisest option for the pet, they prefer to be in their normal area. If not, and you have to put them in kennels, check the boarding out. Ideally a personal commendation, as in everything there can be excellent and poor. The pet may not like it, but they are secure.

What about taking your animal on vacation with you. This is the most dangerous choice for a pet. Plan and prepare well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the car is risky for us as well. Certainly consider using a pet restraint, you use one, for good reason, so ensure your pet has one. The problem of dehydration, so plan for water stops for you and your pet every sixty minutes, or a bit longer if you have air conditioning – on. Be particularly vigilant during the stops, there are often cars moving about, and the pet may want to take a run for it (you might as well).

When you arrive you will be in a strange location. So do a thorough review for any dangers to your animal. The greatest one is escape, especially in motels, rooms opening out onto a busy highway and cars. Did you know that digestion of fruit and especially {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep them away from the fruit.

Pets, will find it difficult to get back to your hotel, if lost, its not as likely as if they were at home – and the neighbours know them. This is not the case in a strange place. Make sure you have good name / phone tags and keep them on a lead.

I hope you and your pets have a happy, event free holiday.