Summer pet safety tips offered

May 25—HILLSDALE — From heat waves to fireworks, summer can take a toll on pets' emotional and physical wellness.

Traveling with an animal can also be dangerous if appropriate safety measures are not taken.

Celebrated in May, this National Pet Month provides opportunity to brush up on a few safety precautions. StatePoint Media offers the following tips when traveling with a dog:

1. Restrain your pet. A proper restraint will protect your dog if an accident should occur. The Center for Pet Safety recommends using a quality crash-tested harness to keep your dog safe.

2. Rein in your pooch. Allowing your dog to stick their head out the window is more dangerous than it seems. It can cause road debris to get into their eyes, nose and mouth and potentially lead to serious injuries.

3. Minimize distractions. Erie Insurance found in its recent national survey that 5 percent of respondents are distracted by their dog when driving. To avoid disruptions, keep them in the back seat and never allow your dog to sit on your lap. Use a barrier to avoid a dog making its way to the front, and avoid feeding and playing with your dog while driving.

General tips for traveling with pets:

1. Never leave a pet in a hot car. Leaving any kind of pet alone in a vehicle is extremely dangerous. According to the Humane Society of the Unites States, a vehicle's temperature can quickly exceed 120 degrees in warm weather, leaving your pet at risk of brain damage, heat stroke and suffocation.

2. Be prepared in case of emergency. Should anything go wrong, plan to contact a nearby vet. Healthypet.com allows you to search by ZIP code for American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited clinics.

Even when taking appropriate precautions, accidents still happen, said Jon Bloom, vice president of personal auto at Erie Insurance. An auto insurance policy can offer financial protection and provide peace of mind.

"We recognize that pets are a valued part of many families," Bloom said. "This is why we believe it's so important to include pet coverage in our auto policy."

According to some pet experts, the heart of relief for a number of common seasonal pet woes is CBD. Below are some insights into additional measures offered for a safe, healthy summer with pets. Some area veterinarians, however, note that CBD is not an approved or standard of care for any medical reason at this point. They report that CBD oil is, at this time, unregulated and the manufacturing process leaves many products with contaminants that may even be harmful to pets. Until a product line that can be guaranteed pure and dosage recommendations provided, they could not favorably comment on the use of CBD for any of the mentioned problems below as there are known alternatives with science based results.

—Fireworks and Thunder: Unexpected noises can be extremely frightening for pets, causing what's known as situational stress. A StatePoint Media release suggests administering Calming CBD-infused Edibites, which contains soothing and relaxing properties, about an hour before you expect fireworks or thunderstorms to occur. Manufacturers say it can also be used to relieve situational stress associated with travel or guests.

As an alternative, the release said exercise also helps. Whether you take an extra long walk or play fetch, wearing your pet out earlier in the day might help them stay calm or even sleep through noise disruptions. Additionally, you can prepare by setting up a quiet space for your pet, full of their favorite blankets and toys. Finally, be mindful that pets often react to loud noises by running away.

According to the ASPCA, one-in-five pets that go missing run off after hearing loud noises like fireworks. Bring cats indoors during storms and fireworks. If you must take a dog outside, keep them securely leashed. Microchips and up-to-date ID tags can help you safely reunite with your pet should they go missing.

—Heat: If you're sweating, there's a good chance your pet is too. Keep pets hydrated by constantly refilling their bowls with fresh, clean water. Choose mornings or evenings for exercising with dogs to avoid the hottest part of the day. On scorchers, avoid paw-to-pavement contact, letting your dog walk in the grass instead. If your pup's paws do get affected by the hot pavement, applying a topical CBD solution can help relieve the burn, the release said. Finally, beat the heat with regular grooming — however, don't shave your pet's fur — their coat protects them from sunburn.

—Allergies: Allergies can wear pets down in numerous ways, including weakening their immune system. CBD hemp oil, however, is said to offer an immunity boost by activating the body's two-way communication system between the brain and the immune system.

A common allergy symptom is rash, which can cause pets to scratch and bite their skin, only worsening irritation. To treat rash, some consider using CBD hemp oil to support a healthy inflammatory response and ease stress, along with a topical CBD product to soothe skin irritations.

With the right tools and knowledge, StatePoint Media says you can support your pet's wellness this summer and protect them from common seasonal health and safety hazards.

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