Summer is the time for everyone, including your pets and other animals, to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors.

At the same time, it can also bring with it some challenging and difficult situations involving your pets. Adequate precautions need to be taken to avoid any such unpleasant circumstances and enhance the summer fun.

This is the time of the year when people indulge in their gardens and fertilise their lawns. If ingested by your pets, any fertilisers and insecticides can be fatal. In addition, a number of varieties of plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals.

Fleas and ticks are a big problem in summer. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions. So, using only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian is always advisable.

Intense summer heat can result in some serious conditions like heat exhaustion or heat stroke in your pets if they don’t have sufficient intake of water. The signs of heat stress may include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.

Providing plenty of water and shade for the pets can help avoid the effects of heat exhaustion and keep them cool while they’re enjoying the outdoors.

But if your pet does come across such a heat condition, you need to immediately lower its body temperature by moving your pet into the shade and applying cool (not cold) water over the body to gradually lower the core body temperature. Apply cold towels or ice packs to your pet’s head, neck, and chest only. Let your pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. Any serious cases should be referred to a veterinarian immediately.

Remember that pets need exercise even when it is hot. But on very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Extra care needs to be taken with older and weaker dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those with thick coats.

Usually most of us don’t consider that even pets can get sunburned too, and so they may require sunscreen on their nose and ear tips. Pets with light-coloured noses or light-coloured fur on their ears can be particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.

There is likelihood of dog bites increasing in the summer months, as people and dogs spend more time outdoors. Besides reducing the chances of bites, spaying or neutering your dog also provides many other health benefits.

Pets also get attracted to pools in your property. To avoid any dangerous pool-and-pet situation prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool.

Don’t take your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets.

And if going away for a holiday, make plans for someone responsible to take care of your dog or cat. If you can’t find any neighbour or friend to do that for you, look for a professional pet minder or a boarding kennel or cattery. The SPCA gets serious when it gets notified about any animals or pets not being taken care of by their owners.