petMD.com Suggests the Top 5 Safety Tips for Common Summer Dangers

MIAMI, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, the season meant for fun, sun, and spending time outdoors with your pet. While humans are aware of the precautions they need to take prior to playing outside in the Summer, just as many summertime dangers lurk outside for your pet. So that you and your pet can enjoy the season fully, petMD.com has put together a list of the top 5 safety tips for your pets in the summertime.

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1.       Apply Sunscreen: Like their owners, dogs and cats can become easily burned by the sun if they are outside for more than a few minutes, and especially if they have light skin and a short or thin hair coat. Applying fragrance free, non-staining, UVA and UVB barrier sunscreen or a special sunscreen made for pets can help prevent your pet from being burned this summer.

2.       Provide Plenty of Water and Shade: Dogs and cats enjoy the warm weather as much as humans do, and may become dehydrated after extended play outside. Providing plenty of fresh water to your pets, as well as encouraging them to play or take a break in the shade can help prevent the consequences of having a dehydrated dog or cat.

3.       Don't Leave your Pet in the Car: Just as with children, leaving your pet in the car for even a few minutes can cause them to have a heat stroke. Even on a 70-degree day, a car in direct sunlight can heat up to 100 degrees within minutes. Avoid leaving your car while your pet is still in it, even if it is only for a few minutes.

4.       Be Wary of where you let your Pet Roam: Many people use fertilizers and pesticides on their lawns in the summertime, which can be poisonous to cats and dogs.  When walking your pet, avoid grassy areas that have been treated, or find a "safe-spot" like a dog park for your pet to enjoy the warm weather.

5.        Avoid Anti-Freeze: Antifreeze is poisonous to dogs and cats, yet many pets are attracted to its scent and taste. When walking your dog or letting your outdoor cat outside, be alert to any spills, leaks or containers of anti-freeze that your pets can accidentally get into.

Summer is a time to sit back, relax, and enjoy life. By protecting your pet from these common summer dangers, you can prevent unnecessary emergencies and enjoy the season.

About petMD.com
petMD is the leading online resource focused solely on the health and well-being of pets. The site maintains the world's largest pet health library, written and approved by a network of trusted veterinarians. petMD was founded to inspire pet owners to provide an ever-increasing quality of life for their pets and to connect pet owners with pet experts and other animal lovers. petMD is a subsidiary of the Pet360 family of brands, which also includes www.Pet360.com– a highly personalized & engaged community dedicated to simplifying and enhancing pet parenting, www.PetFoodDirect.com – the most complete pet food and supply retailer online, and www.NationalPetPharmacy.com– a fully certified, full-service pet pharmacy delivering pet meds, vitamins and comprehensive pet health and wellness products. For more information, visit www.petmd.com.

Contact: Natalie Rusinko, [email protected], 610-276-1597

SOURCE petMD.com

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