This month we have an article from Ryan Goodchild filled with great tips for your pups during the hot summer!
Good pet parents have routines for taking care of their fur babies’ needs, but when the seasons change, our pets’ needs change, too. We may think of summer as a time to relax and unwind, but summertime can also pose extra risks to our pets. Thankfully, most of these risks are easy to avoid if you’re prepared. What’s even better is that you can take these precautionary measures without spending a lot of time or money.
Explore More… Safely
After being cooped up all winter, it’s normal to want to get outside and explore in the summer. Outdoor adventures can be great fun for both you and your pup, but they require some advance planning to make safety a priority. For example, if you’ll be traveling with pets, you’ll need a way to keep them safe in the car. To find the right option for you, take a look at Outdoor Dog World’s guide to the best car harnesses for dogs, which includes a top-rated budget pick.
When you’re getting out and about more, another issue to consider is dog etiquette, which is especially important if you go to dog parks or trails where your dog runs off leash. To begin with, it’s important to make sure your dog is ready to go off leash, which includes teaching them essential commands like Come and Leave It. When you do allow off-leash time, make sure you can see your dog at all times. And when it comes to etiquette, you should always clean up after your dog’s messes. A budget-friendly solution is to keep plastic grocery bags with you, but if you prefer pet waste bags, buying them in bulk is the best way to save money.
Beat the Heat
Keeping all four paws cool in the summer may require extra pet supplies, too. The easiest way to stay budget-conscious when buying gear is to search for online deals. For example, you can find PetSmart coupons, promo codes, and cashback offers to stretch your budget even further.
So, what are the top summer supply must-haves? You’ll need to have enough bowls so your pup has plenty of water both inside your house and outside in your yard. And if you spend a lot of time outside at your home, consider getting a raised pet bed that has a built-in canopy. Along with protecting your pet from the sun, make sure to consider his paws too because surfaces like pavement and sand can get extra hot and burn sensitive paws. The best solution is to avoid these surfaces, but you can also get dog shoes to shield a pup’s feet from the heat.
Beware of Backyard Dangers
When it comes to keeping pets safe this summer, don’t forget about dangers that could be in your own backyard. According to Reader’s Digest, the top backyard dangers for pets include toxic plants, sticks, pesticides, and fertilizer. Affordable solutions include checking a list of plants that are harmful to animals, along with choosing natural DIY pesticides instead of chemicals (make sure they’re pet-safe first).
And remember that bugs cause problems for more than just your plants. Fleas and ticks love the warm weather, too, so you’ll want to stock up on pet flea meds to keep the bugs away.
Being a pet parent is a rewarding job, but it’s also a major responsibility (not to mention a strain on your budget). That’s why we all need these budget-friendly summer safety tips! After all, our fur kids rely on us to give them the best, no matter the weather or season.
Photo credit: Pixabay
Best,
Ryan Goodchild
Thank you so much for the informative article, Ryan! Woof! Pet Lovers Market