Plan for Your Pet's Safety

• Quickly clean up any spilled or dripping antifreeze from your car. Pets are attracted to its sweet taste, but it is toxic to dogs and cats.
• Keep your pet safely restrained in the car. A cat carrier will do for felines. Your dog may need a specially designed safety harness, depending on size and breed. In California, restraining pets is now the law, with good reason!
• Don’t ever let any pet have chocolate. It’s poisonous to dogs and cats.
• Consider your family’s fire safety plan and how your pet fits into it. Think about where your pet might be during a fire and how you might rescue him. Most important, instruct your children NOT to worry about the pet in a fire, and assure them that an adult is in charge. Some families attach a pet alert sticker to a door or window, so that firefighters know a pet is inside. However, firefighters report problems with outdated stickers that alert them to a pet that does not exist, putting the firefighters’ lives in danger.

Protect Your Pets in Hot Weather

It’s common sense not to leave your pet in a hot, closed-up car, but did you know your pet could benefit from some sunscreen when he’s out playing? Yes, really! Follow these hot-weather precautions:

• According to the ASPCA, Sunscreen that is specifically labeled for use on animals can be put on a pet’s nose, ears, or other pink spots (not covered with fur) to help prevent sunburns. Breeds with light-colored fur or none at all are most susceptible. Be sure to use a sunscreen that is made for pets, is SPF 15 or greater, and does NOT contain zinc or salicylates, which can be toxic. (Read more about toxicity at the ASPCA’s website.)
• Double the usual water in your pet’s bowl. Consider adding a second dish with a few ice cubes 
• If your pet is outdoors all day, make sure his shelter stays cool. Rule of thumb: Any place that’s too hot for you is too hot for your pet.
• Don’t cut his hair. Hair can provide a cooling, insulating layer.
• A pet may move less and eat less when it’s hot, so don’t worry.

Home Safety for Dogs

• Don’t leave small things that are easily swallowed around a dog who likes to chew. Toys, underwear, string, socks, pieces of carpet, small bones, and small balls are all common culprits that can cause gastronomic distress.
• Make sure that balls are tennis ball size and that the dog can’t chew them open.
• Secure your trash cans to keep dogs from getting into them and finding things to chew.

Home Safety for Cats

• The kitty in the drawer above is awfully cute, but be careful when opening and closing drawers to ensure they aren’t trapped.
• Keep the dryer door closed at all times.
• Watch when closing up recliners and sofa beds, or when in a rocking chair.
• Put the iron and ironing board away.
• Close the oven door promptly.
• Be careful with candles—don’t leave them unattended.
• Keep people food out of paw’s reach.
• Check that screens are secure.
• Keep miniblind cords and all type of strings and electrical cords out of reach.
• Buy a breakaway collar.

Do you have any safety tips for your pets? Please share below!