Pet Health Articles 
Pet Health & Behavior
Summer Pet Care Tips
A combination of common sense and sensitivity to your pet’s needs will help to ensure that summertime is an enjoyable and healthy season for your pet.
Longer, warmer days and more time at home mean more opportunities to do what all animal lovers like best: enjoy our pets. Summer is also a great time to make sure that our animals are getting proper care for a long and healthy life.
Here are some tips for summer pet care:
- Fleas, ticks, and earmites—Although they are a year-round problem, these parasites can be especially bad in the summer. Infestation is not only uncomfortable for your pet, but it can also lead to other health problems, such as flea anemia, tapeworms, lyme disease, and ear infections. Grooming your pet provides an excellent opportunity to check for these parasites. Pet stores and vet clinics offer a variety of products.
- Intestinal parasites—Common intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, giardia, and tapeworms, can usually be detected through lab analysis of your pet’s stool. Sometimes they are even visible to the naked eye (roundworms resemble spaghetti, and tapeworms resemble grains of rice—you may see them around your pet’s anus or, in the case of cats, in the litter box). These parasites can be treated with medication from your vet.
- Heartworm—This devastating parasite is transmitted through mosquito bites. Its prevalence in dogs makes it necessary for dog owners to treat their pets with a year-round regimen of heartworm prevention pills. Consult your vet for detailed advice.
- Vaccinations—Summer is a good time to make sure that your pet’s immunizations are up to date. Delaware law requires that pets be current on their rabies vaccination (every three years for adult dogs and cats). Recommendations differ regarding vaccinations against distemper (dogs and cats), leukemia (cats), and bordatella (dogs). Your vet can assess the individual needs of your pet based on its age, health, and lifestyle.
- Adequate fresh water and shade for outdoor pets—Like us, our pets require more hydration in the hot weather. Replenish your pet’s bowl with cool, fresh water at least a few times a day. Also, outdoor pets need adequate shade to prevent heat stress. An inflatable or plastic pool can provide heat relief, entertainment, and hydration for dogs.
- Traveling with your pet—For your own safety as well as your pet’s, a cat or small dog should be confined to a crate or animal carrier when it rides in a vehicle. When you stop for a break, offer your pet water, food, and an opportunity to relieve itself (and please scoop the poop!). If your pet is prone to motion sickness or other travel-related stress, your vet can prescribe a mild tranquilizer.
- Leaving your pet at home when you travel—Make arrangements to ensure that your pet gets food, water, medication, and exercise (dogs) while you’re away. Check out reputable boarding facilities, or make an arrangement with a responsible neighbor or friend to care for your pet in your absence.
Please do your part to ensure that your pets and your neighbors’ pets have a happy, healthy summer.
