Are you ready for summer?

From buying new swimwear and sunscreen to cleaning the BBQ, many of us take positive steps to embrace the changes that the summer season brings. However, it is just as important to prepare our pets for the challenges that the warmer temperatures and longer days of sunshine can bring.

Here is our advice on what you need to do to make your pet summer-ready!

Get Your Pet's Preventative Care up to Date

One of the most important things that you can do this summer is to make sure that your pet's preventative care is completely up to date. There are lots of different diseases and illnesses that can affect our adorable animals, and while many are prevalent all year round, those which are spread by insects such as mosquitos and ticks are often more likely to occur during the summer months when the temperatures are at their highest. Unfortunately, some of these infectious diseases can have serious or even deadly consequences for your pet. The good news is that there are no preventative medicines that can be taken to protect our pets against the most dangerous and debilitating diseases, as well as the most irritating. Your vet should have placed your pet on a schedule of preventative care that includes vaccinations as well as parasite protection. Checking that your furbaby is fully protected needs to be an immediate priority.

Schedule a Grooming Session

Grooming your pet isn't just about her looking good. Grooming is an essential part of pet care. A really good bath and brush before summer can help your pet shed her winter coat - something which is essential for preventing her from overheating in the summer. Under no circumstances should you shave your pet. Many people mistakenly think that this will help keep her cool, but she relies on her coat to regulate her own body temperature and without it, she cannot control it. She is also at greater risk of sunburn. Whether you do it yourself or you schedule a visit to a professional, you cannot underestimate the importance of giving your pet a good groom before the mercury rises.

Buy Pet Sunscreen

UV rays are just as harmful to your pet's skin as they are your own. Although your pet probably has fur to protect her, if she has a particularly fine coat and/or pink skin, she is at a very real risk of developing sunburn. Certain parts of her body, such as her ears, paws, and abdomen are also more likely to burn. Just like us, animals can wear sunscreen to prevent their skin from burning. However, make sure you choose a veterinary-approved product as human sunscreens are toxic to pets.

Make Sure She Is Microchipped (and the Chip Is up to Date!)

Warmer weather tends to mean more time outside, more walks, and, in cats, longer days to spend roaming away from home. All of these increase the likelihood that your furbaby will become lost or stolen - a nightmare for any loving owner. Fortunately, you can significantly increase the likelihood that she will be safely returned to you by getting her microchipped. This minimally invasive process involves a small microchip, about the same size as a grain of rice, is placed under your pet's skin. This contains a special reference number that links to a database, managed by the microchip provider, with your personal details. If your pet is found, she can be scanned by a professional who will be able to contact the microchip provider to obtain your contact information. Studies have shown that microchipping is more reliable, tamper-proof, and more frequently results in pets being reunited with their owners. If your pet already has a microchip, make sure your details on the provider's database are up to date as soon as possible.

Need more advice on what you can do to get your pet ready for this summer season? Our experienced and knowledgeable veterinary team at Jones Veterinary Hospital is waiting to offer their support. Contact our veterinary hospital in Andalusia, AL today to schedule your visit at (334) 222-4713.