NAPPS Offers Summer Safety Tips to Help Pets Beat the Heat

Submitted by NAPPS

As spring quickly blooms into summer; many families experience a change in their daily routine along with the change of seasons. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, encourages pet parents to prepare their four-legged friends for the summer months and help their furry companions beat the heat.

For many, thoughts of summer may bring back memories of sunshine, barbecues and outdoor fun with family, friends and Fido. NAPPS encourages pet parents to consider the well-being of their pet when planning summer day trips and outdoor adventures. The warm weather and summer heat can be potentially dangerous to our pets and as their human companion, it’s the pet parents’ duty to follow proper care guidelines for surviving the hot summer days.

“Pets are just as sensitive to the heat and sun as humans,” said John D’Ariano, president of NAPPS. “It’s important to consider your pet’s comfort and safety at all times and be sure there is plenty of water and shade to keep him cool.”

NAPPS urges pet parents to consider these tips to help keep pets safe—and cool—under the summer’s sun:

• Apply sunscreen to light skinned and light furred dogs. Although their fur helps provide protection, areas around their mouth and ears are susceptible to sunburn
• Always provide your pet with fresh, clean water—regardless of the weather
• Safe in the shade! Make sure your pet has plenty of shade for cooling down, especially after having fun in the sun
• Know when playtime is over—don’t keep your pet outside for extended periods of time
• Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of an overheated pet: heavy panting, difficulty breathing, drooling, weakness, etc
• Never leave your animal alone in a parked car, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Cars heat up quickly and can cause your pet to overheat, resulting in death
• Give your pet a trim! Cut your furry friend’s thick hair but be sure to leave enough for protecting his skin from the sun’s harmful rays
• During extreme heat, avoid walking your pet on concrete or asphalt. The hot ground can burn the sensitive paw pads of your animal.
• Hire a professional pet sitter to walk your pup during the early mornings or cool evenings. The best times to exercise your dog is before sunrise or after sunset
• Beware of insect bites: your pet might have an allergic reaction to a sting or bite and will need to have the wound properly treated to maintain good health
• Make an appointment with the vet. Make sure all vaccinations are up to date and find the best flea and tick prevention medications

“As pet parents and sitters, we must provide our animals with the proper care to ensure their health and safety during the scorching days of summer,” added D’Ariano. “It’s important to familiarize yourself with the warning signs and know how to treat heat-related problems effectively.”

About NAPPS: NAPPS is the only national non-profit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of professional pet sitters. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as “the most respected authority in professional pet sitting.” It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. Additionally, pet parents can benefit from NAPPS’ free resources including a disaster preparedness guide, tips on how to select a pet sitter, and a nationwide referral service,. To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS’ nationwide “Pet Sitter Locator” at www.petsitters.org. For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.