As the unofficial start to summer, Memorial Day is a great excuse
to get outdoors. But whether you’re partying, barbecuing, or just soaking up
some rays, it’s important to keep your pet’s safety in mind at all times. To
prevent any Memorial Day mishaps, we’ve put together some tips to help protect
animals during the “Dog Days” of the season.
Party Smart
Barbecuing is one of the best parts of
Memorial Day, but remember that the food and drink you serve your guests may be
poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from animals, and remind
guests not to give them any table scraps or snacks. Raisins, grapes, onions,
chocolate, and avocado are all common at barbecues—and they’re all especially
toxic to animals.
Be Cool Near the Pool
Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a
pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers! Introduce your pets to water
gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Also, try to
keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains potentially dangerous
chemicals like chlorine.
Skip the Spray
Unless specifically designed for animals,
insect repellent and sunscreen can be toxic to pets. Signs of repellent
toxicity include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and lethargy.
DEET, a common insecticide in products for humans, may cause neurological
issues in dogs.
Made in the Shade
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so if
you’re spending time outside, give them plenty of fresh, clean water and make
sure they have a shady place to get out of the sun. Note that animals with flat
faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since
they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the
overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in
air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. IDs, Please Time spent outdoors
comes with the added risk of pets escaping. Make sure that your pet is fitted
with a microchip or ID tag with identifying information, or both. It’s always
better to be safe than sorry.
Opt for a Humane
Holiday Everyone loves a Memorial Day
barbecue, but for those who eat meat, eggs or dairy, avoiding the worst
factory-farmed products can be tricky.
SOURCE:
http://www.aspca.org/news/celebrate-pet-safety-memorial-day
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