A Guide to Summertime Pet Safety

Teri Fuhrer

His name is Red, and he is my inspiration to get the word out to our community about the absolute importance of taking care that our pets are safe and protected from harm. Red is a fiery little 12-year-old Jack Russell cross, recently adopted into a new home. Looking into his wide brown eyes, you just know he has a story to tell. Since he couldn’t tell me the story himself, aside from a lick and a wiggle, his new mom shared Red’s story with me. When Red was just six months old his then-owner had him tethered in the back of his open pickup truck.. Thinking he was in accordance with the state law by having a tether attached to the truck bed, he didn’t realize just how much danger his young dog was in. After several minutes of hearing an unusual thumping noise he realized that Red had gone over the side of the truck bed and was hanging by his tether. Red suffered multiple injuries and lost a leg. Fortunately Red’s young life was spared, and he is still here to let others know how dangerous it can be to carry dogs in the back of open vehicles.

Transport troubles

Laws regulating the transport of pets vary from state to state and are at times confusing. In California the law (CVC: 23117) states that domestic animals must be cross-tethered to the vehicle or protected by a secured container or cage in a way that prevents the animal from falling, jumping or being thrown from the vehicle. Many
people do cross-tether their dogs; however if not done properly, the animals can still
suffer injury. The Humane Society of the United States cautions against such transport, even if legal. A dog could be fatally injured if the driver has to take evasive action or if the vehicle is involved in an accident. They also advise against a dog’s face being exposed to the elements; Flying debris can cause severe face and/or eye injuries.

Short hot path to nevermore

It’s summertime, and we all want to frolic outdoors with our dogs. Why not take him along while you go to the store or run errands. We have all with the best of intentions left our dogs in the car for just a few minutes. It’s easy to believe they are better off in our company than left at home. Sadly, this is a common misperception during warmer months.

Imagine being in a really hot, small space with a heavy fur coat on. That doesn’t sound like too much fun, does it? A parked car in the heat of summer can be as deadly for a pet as it can for a child. A San Francisco State University meteorology professor who tracks heat-related deaths of children has done extensive research on what really happens inside parked cars in the summer sun. She states that on days when outside temperatures range from 73–93°, the temperature inside a vehicle will rise an average of 19° within the first 10 minutes of being parked. 10 minutes! In 20 minutes the temperature can rise another ten°; after one hour, it will rise 43° from that original temperature. Therefore, if it’s 90° out, your dog will be trapped in 120° air in only 20 minutes. Not good! Fatal, in fact! By the way, cracking the windows does very little to ease this kind of heat.

Pets are not well equipped to deal with rapid increases in temperature. Dogs and cats do not perspire; they cool themselves by respiring or panting. They can dehydrate and quickly suffer heat stroke. If you should suspect your dog is suffering from heat exposure, get him to a vet quickly. In the interim, get him out of the heat, give him cool (not cold) water, and put cool water-soaked towels around his head, chest and abdomen if possible. The best medicine, however, is prevention.

Mmmm, anti-freeze.

Aside from vehicle related safety issues, here are some
other reminders to help make your summer safe.
• Implement an effective flea and tick prevention protocol. Fleas and ticks are not only a nuisance, but pose serious health risks.
• Dogs and cats are also at increased risk of contracting Heartworm during summer months. Heartworm is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Talk to your vet about heartworm prevention.
• Take care when exercising your pet in the heat of summer. You need to adjust the intensity and duration in accordance with the temperature. Mornings and evenings are best, as the weather is usually a little cooler. Wait
a minimum of 30 minutes after meals before summertime exercise. Also, be aware that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your dog’s paws. To a dog it can feel like walking on hot coals! Bend down and feel the pavement with
your hand.
• Pets can get sunburned too. Pets with light colored noses or fur can be vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer. Use small amounts of a sunscreen okayed by your vet on your dog’s nose and ears when necessary.
• If you leave your pet outside during the day, make sure she has shelter from the sun, plenty of fresh water (out of the sun) and identification.
• Yards and summer gardens may be rich with fertilizers, pesticides, and toxic plants. Make sure your pet does not have access to these types of products; they can be fatal.
• Automobile coolants and antifreeze can taste yummy to cats and dogs, but can be fatal if ingested. Watch for leaks under your car and never let your pet drink from strange puddles. You can also use animal-friendly propylene
glycol coolant rather than ethylene glycol in your vehicle.

Now that we are enjoying the dog days of summer take time to put safety first. You won’t regret it. Red and all of our other canine and feline friends will appreciate it too!

McLaren Park: South side hidden gem

Like the bratty kid-sister of Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, McLaren is often overlooked and under loved. This park possesses the kind of beauty that residents in less spoiled cities yearn for.

The 318 acres of sprawling grasslands, stands of pine and cypress, and cultivated native and non-native plants are located handily close to the Mission and Bernal Heights. McLaren boasts two large bodies of water, the reservoir and McNab Lake, which keep city hikers and their canine friends cool and relaxed during hot summer days.

Seven miles of improved trails, which contour gently along hillsides but never get too steep, make a great gentle walk for an older dog or an overworked and under slept human. The surrounding scenery proffers a plethora of sights to spice things up: honeysuckle vines, blooming asters, scrub jays, hummingbirds, and the occasional egret.

The Presidio: the dog walker’s paradise

The Presidio gets props for its sheer size: over 1,480 acres of rolling hills, springs, redwoods, wildflower meadows, and historic buildings, this national park is the world’s largest to grace a city.

In winter, this park can seem like the world’s largest mud puddle, especially if you happen to be visiting with your favorite shaggy golden retriever or (God help you) a fluffy Pomeranian.

When skies clear, you can see that all that water has gone to good use. Open fields erupt with bold golden field and tidy tips, spunky orange poppies, and rambling blackberry vines; beneath trees, calla lilies and wild irises wave with elegant simplicity. I’ve seen many a dog standing haunch-high in the springtime grasses, happily nibbling and looking for all the world like a cow at pasture.

The Presidio is the place for dog-walkers, so you’ll have lots of company. If you’re especially keen on socializing, try parking near the baseball field on Portola or near El Polin Spring, both accessible via the Lombard Gate on the East side of the park. With some luck you should be able to find Inspiration Point which offers a stunning view of the Bay, the Palace of Fine Arts, and grove upon grove of redwood trees planted by the Army years ago. Otherwise, feel free to play it by ear. You’re bound to come across something to delight your senses no matter where you go.