Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, and it’s the perfect time to make a few more memories before the onset of autumn. Whether you are spending the holiday at home, hanging out with friends and family, or squeezing in a last-minute vacation, it’s crucial to keep your pet’s safety in mind. Like any holiday, Labor Day poses some risks to your furry friend. Here are a few tips for enjoying a safe and happy holiday weekend with your dog or cat.
Travel Tips
If you are heading out of town this weekend and plan on taking your pet with you, you’ll need to make some adjustments to your itinerary. You already know you should never leave your pet alone in your vehicle during warm weather, but that’s not the only thing to keep in mind.
There are several essential steps to keeping your pet safe while traveling, including:
- Schedule water and potty breaks. When planning out your trip, look for pet-friendly rest stops where your furry friend can relieve themselves. This will help them stay comfortable while preventing unpleasant accidents. Keep them leashed or in their carrier at every stop—an unfamiliar rest area is one of the easiest places for a pet to bolt and get lost.
- Check their ID tag and microchip. Before heading out, make sure your pet’s identification tag information is accurate and easy to read. Log into your cat or dog's microchip account, too, to make sure your contact information is up to date. A recent photo on your phone is worth having as well, just in case.
- Pack your pet’s medical records. When traveling with your pet, always pack copies of medical records, including vaccination records, medical history, and information regarding any prescription medications they take. It’s also worth looking up an emergency veterinary hospital near your destination before you set off, so you aren’t searching for one in a hurry.
- Buckle them up! Just like everyone else in your family, your pet needs to be secured while on the road. We all know how happy dogs are with their heads out of car windows, but it isn’t safe for them, particularly on long car rides. Protect your pet by placing them in a secure crate or carrier and attaching it to the seat belt. Pet seat belts and harnesses work well, too. Keep them in the back seat, as a front airbag can seriously injure or kill a pet. If you haven’t done this before, you might consider taking some test drives around town in the weeks leading up to your travels.
- Provide lots of water. Make sure you have plenty of water for your pet and be sure to pack a collapsible or non-breakable bowl so that they can stay hydrated while on the go.
Outdoor Safety
Whether you are traveling or staying close to home, keep your pet safe when spending time outdoors. Always keep a close eye on your pet when they are in or near water. If your Labor Day plans involve hitting a lake or ocean on a boat, outfit your furry friend with a well-fitting life jacket. Even if they are a strong swimmer, they could become fatigued in the hot summer sun and be at risk for drowning. Rinse them off afterward, and dry their ears thoroughly to help prevent an ear infection.
Keep an eye on the water itself, too. Ponds and slow-moving lakes can develop blooms of blue-green algae that look like scum or paint on the surface, and some of these produce toxins that are rapidly fatal to dogs. If the water looks discolored or scummy or smells foul, keep your pet out of it and don’t let them drink from it.
Ensure your pet has access to water and shade if you are spending time outdoors on a hot, sunny day, and remember that hot asphalt and sand can burn paw pads. Pets dehydrate quickly, and heatstroke can be deadly. Never leave your dog or cat unattended in a vehicle—even with the air conditioner running.
Cookout Concerns
There’s no better way to say goodbye to summer than with a cookout. Unfortunately, your backyard BBQ poses a threat to your four-legged family member.
Keep these cookout safety tips in mind when you have pets:
- Bones and fat trimmings may be tempting, but they are not appropriate treats for your pet. Bones can cause choking and damage your pet’s intestinal tract, and greasy food can cause pancreatitis.
- Onions, garlic, grapes, chocolate, and many other foods are toxic to animals. Protect your furry friend by learning more about foods that are toxic to pets, and let your guests know not to slip your pet anything from their plate.
- Alcohol is toxic to pets, so keep an eye on unattended drinks—a cup left within reach at a party is easy for a curious dog to get into.
- A hot grill can cause severe burns in seconds. Keep pets away from cooking areas, and don’t leave a cooling grill unattended either.
- BBQ skewers are dangerous for dogs. They smell terrific but can damage the stomach and lead to an obstruction. Corn cobs are another common cause of obstruction, and they don’t break down in the gut.
- Keep the trash secured. BBQ drippings that fall onto rocks or mulch are tempting too, so make sure your dog doesn’t have access to them.
Remember that loud noises are stressful to animals. If your holiday festivities include loud music, fireworks, or other noisy activities, keep your pet inside where they can relax. They’ll be much happier in a quiet room with the curtains drawn and some background music than they would be amid the chaos of a party, and a pet that panics at a firework is a pet that may bolt through an open gate.
Staying Safe at Home
Sometimes, home is the safest place for your pet. If you leave your dog or cat home this Labor Day weekend, make sure their sitter knows how to keep them safe.
Your pet sitter’s instructions should include:
- Information about your cat or dog's daily activities
- Instructions for feeding
- A list of your cat or dog's medications with detailed instructions
- Phone number and address for your primary veterinarian and a local emergency clinic
- A copy of your pet insurance policy and card, if you have one
- Information on how to contact you in an emergency, plus a backup contact if you can’t be reached
- Written permission for the sitter to seek veterinary treatment on your behalf, so nothing is delayed if your pet needs to be seen
Conclusion
No matter your plans this holiday weekend, be sure to keep your pet’s safety and comfort in mind. It takes just seconds for disaster to strike, but with careful planning, you can protect your dog or cat from many of the most common problems.
If you do run into any issues this weekend (or any other time), we are here to help. As your pet’s veterinarian, we will provide the expert care they need to start feeling like themselves again as quickly as possible. We also offer wellness care to help keep problems at bay. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.