Summer is in full effect and with that comes rising temperatures, sometimes in the triple digits. Warmer temperatures and summer vacations lead to homeowners wanting to clean their homes up before fall and between entertaining at their homes during the summer. However, the summer months can bring hidden dangers that come to your pet’s health and safety. Parry Custom Homes, a premier Pittsburgh on your lot builder, shares safety tips on how to keep your pets safe this summer and keep them away from any hidden dangers.
Now that we’re officially into summer, the 4th of July is right around the corner. However, most people don’t take into consideration the festivities of fireworks and 4th of July celebration fun that can lead to dangerous leftovers for pets. The leftover firework pieces or chocolate candies left out from entertaining can be toxic to cats and dogs. Chocolate can especially be fatal if ingested by cats. Leftover firework pieces if left in the yard if ingested by your pets can obstruct the digestive tract and lead to severe vomiting and dehydration. It is best to do a once-over of the yard and around your home where any fireworks may have been used to prevent any issues for your pets.
If you’re a dog owner, you most likely like to take your furry friend on car rides with you so they can let their head out the window and soak in the fresh air that summer brings. Unfortunately, this too can be unsafe. Flying debris and insects can cause inner ear or eye injuries as well as lung infections. Any abrupt stops or turns can cause major injuries or worse. It’s best to keep your pet in a crate or a seatbelt especially designed for them, when riding in a car.
Many pet parents will often open the windows of their home during a nice summer morning to let the fresh air in for the day. However, this can also be a risky move if you have any unscreened or loosely-fitted screened windows. This can be very dangerous as pets, especially cats, that are apt to jump or fall through these windows of they lean on them to rest. Be sure to install snug and sturdy screens on all of your windows so you don’t have to worry!
Another thing to be careful of when you are tackling any summer cleaning is to keep all of the cleaners and chemicals out of the way of your pets. Almost all products, including natural ones, contain chemicals that can be dangerous to your pets. Keep them safely stored and away from your pets where they can’t get to them.
Lastly, if you are doing any home improvements this summer, remember that paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to pets and it is best to read all labels to make sure what can and shouldn’t be used around your pets. Also be cautious of physical hazards such as staples, nails, insulation, blades and power tools lying around. It will probably best to confine your pet to a certain area of the home away from any home improvements, for safety and peace of mind.
Parry Custom Homes is an established homebuilder in the Pittsburgh area. Call or contact us today for more information.