You almost certainly spend time on the safety of yourselves and your family. Please do not forget your animals. This is a key part of pet care. Summer is particularly difficult and different for your pet. The two main things to pay attention to are the results of the heat and holidays.

Lets start with the results of the hot weather on the animal. They are like us – they will need more water, make it accessible 24 / 7. If you frequently go dog walking make sure they have the ability to have water, every hour or so, or even more regularly if you are of the active type.

You would be justifiably locked up for leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is astonishing and a disgrace the amount of people who do this to their animals. This can kill a pet, temperatures in the sun, can quickly rise to more than 100 degrees. Putting the window slightly ajar, does not help that much.

Pets are similar to ourselves, with the same amount of activity, you need fewer calories to sustain your weight in the summer. If you, or your animal, keep consuming the same, you certainly will put on weight. Pet obesity is becoming more of an issue. Increasing weight during summer, may slow the pet down in winter and this can then lead to more weight gain, so consider reducing the intake of food, or as a minimum, keep an eye on your pets weight.

Also be careful with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will quickly go off as its temperature approaches blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the animal does not consume wet food within half an hour, through it away. Dry food is completely safe, if does not become moist. So if you have a slobbery animal, little and often should be the principle. Watch out for condensation, or drops of water from the air conditioner.

Whilst playing with your dog in the heat, this may not have caused problems, however, he may suddenly want to bound into some water, with you if you are holding onto the lead. Perhaps more risky is the jump into a river, if he is not on a leash. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, regularly you see people being pulled in! Not helped by them wanting to say hi to the ducks. In summer there is often more wildlife around for them to chase, so be watchful and controlling.

Summer, is additionally the time of the great vacation. So if you are having to find a pet sitter, try to find a professional business such as London Pet Sitting, who vet and train their pet sitters. A good pet sitter, will even check out all the dangers as part of their contract. Pet Sitting is often the best option for the pet, they would rather be in their home area. If not, and you must board them, check the boarding out. Preferably a personal commendation, as in everything there can be great and not so good. The pet may not like it, but they are safe.

You may be wanting to take your animal on vacation with you. Without doubt the most risky choice for an animal. Prepare and plan well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the car is dangerous for ourselves as well. Think about using a pet restraint, you use one, for good reason, so ensure your pet has one. The danger of dehydration, so stop for water stops for you and your pet every sixty minutes, perhaps a bit longer if you have air conditioning – on. Be very careful during the stops, there are often cars moving about, and the animal may want to take a runner (you might as well).

When you arrive you will be in a new location. So do a thorough review for any risks to your animal. The greatest one is running away, above all in motels, rooms opening out onto a main road and cars. Did you know that digestion of fruit and particularly {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep them away from the fruit.

Pets, will struggle to get back to your motel, if lost, its not as likely as if they were at home – and the neighbours know them. This is not the case in a strange place. Make sure you have good name / phone tags and keep them on a leash.

I hope you and your animals have a happy, event free holiday.