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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Pet Safety Tips During Snake Season

    Austin Pets Alive! | Pet Safety Tips During Snake Season

    Jul 21, 2023

    It’s sizzling in Texas and just like humans, snakes are seeking cool places to beat the heat during our record high temperatures. They may be cozied up in the shade of rocks on a favorite hiking trail, in the moist coolness around potted outdoor plants or dark recesses under decks and porches.

    Most of the time, snakes remain aloof and keep their distance from people and pets. But mid-summer is a peak time for snake activity, which increases the chance of a cat or dog crossing paths with the reptile while on a hike or roaming around outdoors.

    Austin Pets Alive! (APA!)  wants to help Austinites keep their furry friends safe by providing the following helpful pointers:

    • Keep dogs on leash while hiking on trails or when outdoors in unfamiliar areas.

    • Keep yards clear of rock piles, stacks of wood or other “covers” that could provide a shady area for snakes.  

    • Be aware that cats sometimes actually seek out snakes.

    Cats and dogs are inquisitive creatures and despite our best efforts to prevent our furry friends from crossing paths with a snake, it may happen. If you see a snake near your pet, assume they may have been bitten. If possible, take a picture of the snake or commit its color pattern to memory, which will help your veterinarian identify next steps. Keep the dog or cat as calm as possible and immediately call your veterinarian or nearest pet emergency center and follow their instructions.

    Sometimes the only clue you will have that your pet may have been bitten will be based on how your pet is acting, especially since snake bites aren’t often visible. Be on the lookout for the following symptoms:

    • Your pet becomes wobbly or unsteady.

    • Your pet exhibits unexpected shaking or trembling.

    • Your pet’s breathing may become fast or shallow.

    • Your dog may vomit within the first hour of being bitten.

    Following these simple steps will help you protect your fur babies from snake bites during this time of high snake activity and extreme heat.

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Heat Safety Tips for Pets

    Austin Pets Alive! | Heat Safety Tips for Pets

    Jun 12, 2023

    The summer heat has arrived. Let’s make sure we keep our pets safe!

    With most summer days reaching at least 90 degrees in Austin, Texas, Austin Pets Alive! is alerting pet owners to exercise caution on these hot days. Temperatures like these can be very dangerous for pets, especially dogs, leading to dehydration and in some cases, death.

    As we moved into these summer months, be sure to follow these helpful pointers:

    • Check the pavement before going on a walk. Place your hand on it for 10 full seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. Know the signs – lagging is the number one sign that your dog is too hot.
    • Water, water, water! Make sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh water to drink. And if your pet likes to swim, offering a safe swimming option is an excellent way to keep cool
    • Keep an eye on your pet’s tongue and eyes. Red eyes and a tongue hanging very far out of a dog’s mouth is an indication that they are overheating.
    • Limit afternoon outdoor activity.Take short walks in shaded area or consider early morning or evening strolls.
    • NEVER leave your pet in the car unattended, not een for a short period of time. Did you know that on a 95-degree day, your car’s interior can reach 100+ degrees within 10 minutes?

    There are other summer heat tips that are less commonly heard about but are just as important such as supervising your pet in the pool. To avoid a dangerous situation, consider fencing off or covering your pool for when you aren’t home. Another tip to keep in mind is that when grooming your pet, avoid cutting their hair too short. Their fur helps combat sunburns and regulate body temperature. For these upcoming summer months, pet sunscreen is a great investment – we bet you didn’t know it was a thing!

    Don’t have a pool for your water-loving dog? While Austin has plenty of bodies of water to explore, some may not be appropriate for your dog due to the toxic blue-green algae that has cropped up over the last few years. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the latest information here!

    Dogs most susceptible to heatstroke are overweight dogs, dogs with long fur, short nose dogs, senior dogs, and those who have lung or breathing issues. It’s important to remember that dogs only sweat through their mouth, feet, and ears, which is why they suffer from heat exhaustion faster than humans.  So, even though you may be tolerating the heat, your dog may be suffering.

    To help keep pet safety top of mind at a popular Austin-outdoor fave location, we’ve posted signage around the trail looping Lady Bird Lake.  Be on the lookout for those tips and warnings!

    Austin Pets Alive! wants to keep all pet lovers informed and our furry friends safe from the Texas summer heat! Follow our friendly tips and refer back when needed for a fun, safe summer!

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Heat Safety Tips for Pets

    Austin Pets Alive! | Heat Safety Tips for Pets

    May 14, 2022

    As we Austinites know, Texas summer heat is real – and sweltering hot.

    With most summer days reaching at least 90 degrees in Austin, Texas, Austin Pets Alive! is alerting pet owners to exercise caution on these brutally hot days. Temperatures like these can be very dangerous for pets, especially dogs, leading to dehydration and in some cases, death.

    As we ease into the summer months, be sure to follow these helpful pointers:

    • Check the pavement before going on a walk. Place your hand on it for 10 full seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. Know the signs – lagging is the number one sign that your dog is too hot.
    • Water, water, water! Let your pet go for a swim in cool water and make sure they are staying hydrated. Getting your pet wet is the best way to speed up the cooling process.
    • Keep an eye on your pet’s tongue and eyes. Red eyes and a tongue hanging very far out of a dog’s mouth is an indication that they are overheating.
    • Limit outdoor activity. Take short walks in shaded areas or consider taking an evening stroll.
    • Do NOT leave your pet in the car, not even for a short period of time. Did you know that on a 95-degree day, your car is actually degrees?

    There are other summer heat tips that are less commonly heard about but are just as important such as supervising your pet in the pool. To avoid a dangerous situation, consider fencing off or covering your pool for when you aren’t home. Another tip to keep in mind is that when grooming your pet, avoid cutting their hair too short. Their fur helps combat sunburns and regulate body temperature. For these upcoming summer months, pet sunscreen is a great investment – we bet you didn’t know it was a thing!

    Dogs most susceptible to heatstroke are overweight dogs, dogs with long fur, short nose dogs, senior dogs, and those who have lung or breathing issues. It’s important to remember that dogs only sweat through their mouth, feet, and ears, which is why they suffer from heat exhaustion faster than humans. So, even though you may be tolerating the heat, your dog may be suffering.

    To help keep pet safety top of mind at a popular Austin-outdoor fave location, we’ve posted signage around the trail looping Lady Bird Lake. Thank you to Rocket Banners, a company that generously donated the print of these heat safety signs reminding trail-goers to keep their pets safe. Be on the lookout for those tips and warnings!

    Austin Pets Alive! wants to keep all pet lovers informed and our furry friends safe from the ravaging heat! Follow our friendly tips and refer back when needed for a fun, safe summer!

    We have an important PSA while we have your attention! While scooping the poop may not seem important, and at times pretty gross, it is crucial to the health and safety of our community. Just to put things into perspective, there are over 250,000 dogs in Austin, which in turn creates 150,000 pounds of poop per day. And now, more than ever before, we each have an obligation to care for, and look after, the health and safety of our neighbors and fellow Austinites. Click here to learn more!

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Heat Safety Tips for Pets

    Austin Pets Alive! | Heat Safety Tips for Pets

    May 25, 2021

    As we Austinites know, Texas summer heat is real – and sweltering hot.

    With most summer days reaching at least 90 degrees in Austin, Texas, Austin Pets Alive! is alerting pet owners to exercise caution on these brutally hot days. Temperatures like these can be very dangerous for pets, especially dogs, leading to dehydration and in some cases, death.

    As we ease into the summer months, be sure to follow these helpful pointers:

    • Check the pavement before going on a walk. Place your hand on it for 10 full seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. Know the signs – lagging is the number one sign that your dog is too hot.
    • Water, water, water! Let your pet go for a swim in cool water and make sure they are staying hydrated. Getting your pet wet is the best way to speed up the cooling process.
    • Keep an eye on your pet’s tongue and eyes. Red eyes and a tongue hanging very far out of a dog’s mouth is an indication that they are overheating.
    • Limit outdoor activity. Take short walks in shaded areas or consider taking an evening stroll.
    • Do NOT leave your pet in the car, not even for a short period of time. Did you know that on a 95-degree day, your car is actually degrees?

    There are other summer heat tips that are less commonly heard about but are just as important such as supervising your pet in the pool. To avoid a dangerous situation, consider fencing off or covering your pool for when you aren’t home. Another tip to keep in mind is that when grooming your pet, avoid cutting their hair too short. Their fur helps combat sunburns and regulate body temperature. For these upcoming summer months, pet sunscreen is a great investment – we bet you didn’t know it was a thing!

    Dogs most susceptible to heatstroke are overweight dogs, dogs with long fur, short nose dogs, senior dogs, and those who have lung or breathing issues. It’s important to remember that dogs only sweat through their mouth, feet, and ears, which is why they suffer from heat exhaustion faster than humans. So, even though you may be tolerating the heat, your dog may be suffering.

    To help keep pet safety top of mind at a popular Austin-outdoor fave location, we’ve posted signage around the trail looping Lady Bird Lake. Thank you to Rocket Banners, a company that generously donated the print of these heat safety signs reminding trail-goers to keep their pets safe. Be on the lookout for those tips and warnings!

    Austin Pets Alive! wants to keep all pet lovers informed and our furry friends safe from the ravaging heat! Follow our friendly tips and refer back when needed for a fun, safe summer!

    We have an important PSA while we have your attention! While scooping the poop may not seem important, and at times pretty gross, it is crucial to the health and safety of our community. Just to put things into perspective, there are over 250,000 dogs in Austin, which in turn creates 150,000 pounds of poop per day. And now, more than ever before, we each have an obligation to care for, and look after, the health and safety of our neighbors and fellow Austinites. Click here to learn more!

    Source link