With the most anticipated season on the horizon, now is the perfect time to begin your summer pet care routine. With summer comes more adventure, more exposure to the outdoors, and with that, a higher risk of health and safety hazards. While this may sound overwhelming, we’re here to help you mitigate disaster by adequately planning for your pet’s happiness and health this summer.
Create a Summer Checklist
To begin your preparations to ensure your pet is safe and healthy all summer long, we recommend making a checklist of things that will need to be handled before the arrival of the hottest months. Your checklist may include the following:
• Schedule your pet’s health check-up with your trusted veterinarian
• Make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations
• Secure preventative treatments including flea and tick medication and heartworm prevention
• Consider having your pet microchipped
• Invest in a durable collar with a name tag and updated contact information
Preventative Treatments and Vaccinations
When you visit your pet’s veterinarian, be sure to ask about the preventative treatments available to safeguard your pet’s health. Your veterinarian can provide you with effective flea and tick protection as well as heartworm medication to ensure your pet does not fall victim to any parasitic creatures during your summer fun. Furthermore, make sure your pet is up-to-date on their vaccines, including their rabies vaccine to deter any unfavorable events this summer.
Ensuring Your Pet Is Identifiable
Whether you’re planning a vacation with your pet or simply have a pet that loves to spend time outdoors, the summer presents a higher chance of your pet becoming separated from you. While most animals don’t wander too far from their familiar surroundings, the possibility is there, and for that reason, it’s important to be prepared.
Always carry a recent picture of your pet with you to show others in the event your pet gets lost. Before summer begins, invest in a durable collar with a new, scratch-free name tag that clearly indicates your pet’s name and your contact information in case someone finds your pet while they’re roaming. Additionally, you may inquire with your pet’s veterinarian about having your pet microchipped to secure the best chances of being reunited if your pet runs off.
For more information about preparing your pet for the upcoming season, contact your local veterinarian to schedule an appointment today!