A Kenneling Alternative

July

Summer Hot Weather Hazards For Pets

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As we head into July and August, hot temperatures can really have an impact on our pets. Let’s discuss some of the potential hazards that might be present in your surroundings as summer heats up.

According to the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), there are a number of things to consider during hot weather.

  • Heartworm. While heartworm may not be the first thing that comes to mind, heartworm is a risk factor. Moosquitos are out and they transmit the disease. Get your pet checked for heartworm and keep her on preventative medication.
  • Dehydration. Like humans, pets need to get plenty of water and have a shady or cool spot to keep their internal temperature regulated.
  • Parked cars. We know that it can heat up quickly inside a car. This means potential heat stroke or death. And, in some states it is illegal.
  • Pools. Pets shouldn’t be unsupervised. Not every pet is a good swimmer. And if you use pool covers, the potential for an unattended pet to get trapped is real.
  • Open, unscreened windows. Pets can fall out of windows that are open and unscreened. Also, if you live in a high-rise with a patio or balcony make sure your pet is never left unattended. A fall from a significant distance can be fatal and can potentially injure others below.
  • Asphalt. We know the road gets hot. If your pet is low to the ground, not only can they get an overheated body from absorbing heat into their belly, they can burn the pads on their paws.

For other hazards go to https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/hot-weather-safety-tips.

Be safe and keep an eye on your senior pets as the summer sun raises the mercury in those thermometers.

Looking Ahead to 2021, And Your Floofins All Year

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We want to see your Floofins all year long! If you’ve been a client of Floofins & Co. for a while, you may be familiar with the annual calendar. We like trying new formats and decided to give our clients an opportunity to participate in the creation of the 2021 calendar.

The Rules

Here’s how it will work:

  • Photos must be of Floofins & Co. clients
  • Photos must be posted to our Facebook page
  • The individual photos with the most votes/likes will be selected

How It Works

What does that mean? Well, over the next several days, you will see a Facebook post with the 2020 pet for each month of the year. Your job is to scroll through the thousands and thousands of pet photos on your phone or tablet or laptop and locate one that best fits that particular month. For example, October had a picture of a pet in their Halloween costume. January had a New Year celebration going on with a dog in glasses. Whatever you think represents that month and showcases your floofin…. drop the photo on that post.

From there, the votes/likes will be noted and the winner will be the one with the most likes. Tell your friends and family to vote! We are so excited to be able to let the Floofins Family make their own calendar.

One side note: We will have to go to print in November, so there will be a time limit on the voting and submissions. So, get out there and, as they say in Chicago, vote early and vote often.

When can you post your pictures? Keep an eye out on Facebook. As soon as you see the month uploaded, you can submit your picture. Voting begins as soon as photos are added.

We hope you enjoy this adventure and the opportunity to make your floofin famous. Well, at least among the Floofins & Co. family. Now, start scrolling through those pictures!

Pet Hydration Month

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With the heat of summer bearing down upon us, we are all looking for ways to stay cool. Tall cold drinks look especially refreshing. But have you considered whether your pet is properly hydrating with you?

July is Pet Hydration month. It is the perfect time to take a look at how much water your pet is getting in their day and whether it is enough. We all know that the human body is primarily liquid, but did you realize that a pet has a higher percentage of water in its body than we do?

According to Springbook Animal Care Center in Naperville, even mild dehydration can have serious impact on the health and function of your floofin. They recommend that you watch for the following signs that might indicate dehyrdation:

  • Sunken eyes
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dry mouth/gums
  • Depression

Make sure to keep your pet’s water bowls cleaned and constantly filled with fresh water. A pet should have approximately one ounce of water per pound. So, my 40 pound dog would need roughly 40 ounces, or 5 glasses, of water per day. 

Be sure to exercise your pet at a slower pace with as much shade and rest breaks as needed. Consider incorporating wet food into their diet as it has a higher water content than kibble. 

Further, remember to keep your birds, reptiles, or other pets out of direct sunlight and to keep them supplied with fresh water at all times. No one wants to make a trip to the emergency room for a case of dehydration. 

Keep yourself and your pet fully hydrated and remember to slow down as the temperatures go up. Episodes of heat stroke can occur in pets just as easily as in humans. Stay safe and drink up!