Protect Your Pet in the Dog Days of Summer

With the dog days of summer in full force, both you and your favorite furry friend are sure to spend more time outdoors in the sunshine. But with the warmer weather comes a new set of hazards for your pets. Heartworms, fleas and ticks are also out of hibernation, waiting to make themselves cozy on your pet.

As pets spend more time outside, they are at increased risk of a flea infestation that can lead to anemia, allergic skin disease, tapeworms, and other more serious diseases. Ticks can also cause their own set of problems, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, and local painful reactions to the tick bite itself.

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So how can you keep your pet happy and healthy? Work with your vet. “Your vet is the second most important person in your pet’s life,” Wendy says. The market is crowded with products for pets, and only you and your vet can determine what products and medications are safe for your pet.

A healthy diet is also important, and if you thought overeating was strictly a human epidemic, think again. “Almost 60% of pets are obese,” Wendy says, which makes the summer the perfect time to help your dog shed any extra winter pounds. “Exercise and everything you put in their bodies is very important.”

To learn about the shocking effects your cleaning products may have on your beloved pet, and hear more of Wendy’s tips for healthy animals, check out this episode of Daily Shot.

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