Summer is the time for families to enjoy barbeques, walks in the park, playing catch and countless other outdoor activities. Since 92 percent of pet owners consider their pet part of the family, Fido and Fifi often join in the festivities.

Some common issues pet parents need to be aware of during the summer months include parasites, high temperatures and possible risks associated with lawn and garden products.We can avoid many issues that may arise during the warm summer months through prevention and proper precautions.

Summer is the time for families to enjoy barbeques, walks in the park, playing catch and countless other outdoor activities. Since 92 percent of pet owners consider their pet part of the family, Fido and Fifi often join in the festivities.

Some common issues pet parents need to be aware of during the summer months include parasites, high temperatures and possible risks associated with lawn and garden products.We can avoid many issues that may arise during the warm summer months through prevention and proper precautions.

Parasites

It’s the height of flea, tick and mosquito season for 140 million pet dogs and cats. These parasites are more than a nuisance to pets; they can pose serious health risks including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and flea allergy dermatitis, among other flea, tick and mosquito transmitted diseases.

It’s especially important for dog owners to protect pets from ticks Lyme disease cases have continued to increase over the past 10 years, a trend that indicates 2009 may be a record setting year for Lyme disease cases in both humans and pets. FurtherLyme disease can occur at rates in dogs that are 50 to 100 times the rate of humans.

“Dogs’ exposure to Lyme disease can be significant because they spend more time outside and in grassy areas where ticks are prevalent,” says Becker. “In fact, in areas where Lyme disease is endemic, the veterinary industry has recently seen an increase of cases.”

Fortunately there are simple steps to prevent the onset of parasite infestation:

* Conduct a tick check every day to prevent the tick from transmitting the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

* Protect a dog from biting fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

* Keep dogs away from moist, shaded areas (the environments ticks favor) when participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, camping and hunting.

* Mow the lawn frequently and keep leaf litter in the yard to a minimum. Install bait boxes to trap tick-carrying rodents around the perimeter of the yard.

Hot Temperatures

It doesn’t need to reach record breaking temperatures for an owner to ensure a pet’s comfort and safety. Pets can run into the same warm weather irritations and dangers as humans -- from overheating to sunburn. These are hot tips for keeping a pet cool:

* Pets can suffer heatstroke, so keep them hydrated and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest time of day.

* Keeping a pet well-groomed helps prevent summer skin problems. Cut heavy-coated dog’s hair down to a one-inch length to help avoid overheating. Make sure not to shave a pet -- hair actually prevents sunburn and helps insulate them from the heat.

* Even though fur is protective, pets can still get sunburned. Rub a dab of waterproof sun block on unprotected areas like the tips of their ears, the skin around the lips, and the tip of the nose.

* Pets are sensitive to hot surfaces just like humans. If the heat from the ground is too hot for a pet owner’s hand or foot, then it is too hot for a pet’s footpads.

Lawn and Garden

Lawn maintenance and gardening are popular summer activities which often consist of spraying for weeds and bugs. Pet parents need to read and follow all safety instructions when working with lawn and garden products. They also need to exercise caution when their pet is romping around outside and avoid recently treated areas to keep pets from ingesting potentially harmful materials.

It’s easy to see why so many pet owners enjoy being outside with their furry friends, but with the great outdoors come safety concerns. People need to use their best judgment when they are outside with their pets. If we are cognizant of their surroundings we should be able to keep our pets safe and happy during the summer . . . and have a good time.”