| Now that summer is here we have to be careful | | | | bowl in case your pet tips over the first one. |
| to protect ourselves and pets from the heat. | | | | There are also some natural remedies for helping |
| Some breeds such as chihuahuas just love hot | | | | dogs stay cool. Here some suggested by the |
| weather. Other breeds with heavier coats may be | | | | holistic vets writing in the book New Choices in |
| at a higher risk for heat stroke. Heat stroke | | | | Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats by Amy Shojai |
| occurs when body temperature reaches over 104 | | | | and the editors of Prevention for Pets: |
| degrees Fahrenheit. Pets with heat stroke will | | | | Encourage your pet to drink - Pets that are |
| have glassy-looking eyes, and they will have | | | | sensitive to heat need to drink a lot of water but |
| difficulty walking or standing up. | | | | the body's thirst mechanism isn't always as |
| My Labrador Retriever used to dig a big hole for | | | | sensitive as it should be. Give your pet ice chips |
| herself underneath a bush in our front yard to | | | | or ice cubes throughout the day. I can tell you |
| keep cool. Nowadays though so many new | | | | that really does work. My dog just loved playing |
| homes don't have big trees or bushes for pets to | | | | with the ice cubes and then crunching on them. |
| take shelter under. Plus often avid gardeners don't | | | | Get your pet wet by letting them lie down in a |
| like pets digging in their gardens. How do you | | | | kiddie pool or spritzing them with the hose. |
| keep your pet cool and comfortable in the hot | | | | Replace electrolytes - When dogs and cats lose |
| days of summer? | | | | fluids, they also lose electrolytes. Give your pet an |
| Just like children, dogs should not be out be out | | | | electrolyte solution like Pedialyte or Gatorade to |
| during the hottest part of the day. Also, you need | | | | replace lost minerals. You can add several |
| to slow your pace with your dogs in the summer. | | | | tablespoons to your pet's water everyday. |
| Don't make them run so much that they get | | | | Mist with essences - Use Bach's Rescue Remedy |
| overheated. Moving slowly keeps the body's | | | | (you can find this at Health Food stores and |
| metabolism from rising and keeps pets internal | | | | sometime Grocery Stores in the health food |
| temperatures down. Also, make sure your dog | | | | section). Put five drops in a cup of spring water |
| always has access to water. Have a bowl that is | | | | and mist your pet when he gets warm. |
| heavy enough not to tip over or provide an extra | | | | |