As the unofficial start to summer,
Memorial Day is a great excuse to get outdoors. But whether you’re partying,
barbequing, 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
Barbequing 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 barbeques—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 repellant 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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