SUMMER UPDATES AND TIPS
Warm Days, Happy Paws: Summer Updates and Safety Tips From Our Family to Yours
Summer Hours and Closures
Starting July 20- August 28, we are offering appointments for wellness on Mondays until 6 pm. Our hope is this helps those who have to work be able to bring their pets in to be seen before school starts back up. Those Mondays we will not start seeing appointments until 10 am.
We will be closed:
June 23
July 29, 30
August 31,
September 1, 21
Summer Safety Tips for Dogs and Cats
As summer arrives, longer days and warmer temperatures mean more opportunities for outdoor adventures with our furry family members. While the season brings plenty of fun, it also comes with some unique safety concerns. Here are a few important tips to help keep your pets happy, healthy, and safe all summer long.
Water Safety for Dogs
Many dogs love swimming, but not all dogs are natural swimmers. Always supervise your dog around pools, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. Consider a canine life jacket for boating, paddleboarding, or swimming in deep water. After swimming, rinse your dog's coat to remove chlorine, salt, or algae, and make sure fresh drinking water is always available to prevent them from drinking unsafe water sources. Always use a cleaning and drying pet ear solution in your dog’s ears after water exposure to decrease the chances of an ear infection.
Heat Safety
Pets can overheat quickly during hot weather. Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, or collapse. Provide plenty of shade and cool, fresh water whenever your pet is outdoors. Remember: if it's too hot for you, it's probably too hot for your pet.
Protect Those Paws
Sidewalks, asphalt, and sand can become dangerously hot during summer months. Before walking your dog, place the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Walk during cooler morning or evening hours whenever possible and consider protective booties for sensitive paws.
Beware of Cheat Grass
Cheat grass (also known as foxtails) becomes especially common during summer. These sharp, barbed grass seeds can lodge in a pet's ears, eyes, nose, paws, or skin, causing painful infections and potentially serious complications. After hikes or outdoor play, thoroughly check your pet's coat, paws, ears, and between their toes. Contact us promptly if you notice excessive licking, swelling, sneezing, head shaking, or signs of discomfort.
For dogs that frequently encounter cheat grass (foxtails), several products can help protect the ears and head:
OtFox® Field Guard – A lightweight mesh hood that covers a dog's entire head, including the ears, eyes, nose, and mouth. It's specifically designed to protect dogs from foxtails, cheat grass, and other grass awns while allowing them to see, breathe, and drink.
Dog snoods – Originally designed to keep long ears clean and warm, some lightweight snoods can help hold ears close to the head and reduce the chance of grass seeds entering the ear canal. They provide less protection than a full-field guard.
Hooded hunting or field vests – Some sporting dog gear manufacturers offer protective hoods that cover the ears during field work, though they are generally designed for brush and briars rather than cheat grass specifically.
Tick Prevention and Tick Checks
Summer adventures often bring increased exposure to ticks. Keeping grass and brush trimmed, avoiding heavily infested areas, and using veterinarian-approved natural repellents containing ingredients such as diluted essential oils, can help deter ticks. Always consult your veterinarian before applying any essential oil-based products, as some ingredients can be harmful to pets, especially cats.
After every hike, walk, or outdoor play session, perform a thorough tick check. Carefully examine your pet's ears, around the eyes, under the collar, between the toes, under the tail, and in the armpit and groin areas. Prompt removal of ticks reduces the risk of disease transmission. If you find a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool to grasp it close to the skin and pull straight out. Consider sending the tick into Tick-Check to be tested for possible tick borne diseases. Contact us if you have concerns about tick-borne diseases or notice any unusual symptoms after a tick bite.
Summer Safety for Cats
Many cats spend more time outdoors during warm weather and may stay out later exploring. While this can be enjoyable for them, it's important to ensure they have access to fresh water and a safe way back home before dark. Increased wildlife activity, traffic, and nighttime predators can pose risks, so bringing cats indoors overnight remains the safest option whenever possible.
Traveling with Your Pet This Summer?
Summer is a popular time for vacations, family visits, and relocations. If your pet will be traveling by air or crossing state or international borders, be sure to plan ahead. Many airlines, states, and countries require health certificates, proof of vaccinations, parasite treatments, microchips, or other documentation before travel.
Some destinations have simple requirements, while others—particularly Hawaii and many international destinations—may require weeks or even months of preparation. Waiting until the last minute can result in travel delays or denied entry for your pet.
At Four Paws Wellness Center, we offer domestic and international health certificates and can help guide you through the requirements for your destination. If you're planning to travel with your pet, contact us as early as possible so we can ensure all requirements are completed on time and your trip goes smoothly.
Managing Firework Anxiety: Plan Ahead!
The loud booms and bright flashes of summer fireworks can cause severe panic for many pets. Fortunately, both natural and pharmaceutical options can help keep your dog or cat calm.
Pharmaceutical Options: Prescriptions like trazodone and gabapentin can safely block the fear response.
Natural Remedies: Pheromone diffusers, calming supplements, and melatonin can offer gentler support for mild anxiety.
Order Early:Please request these options from us well in advance. Our clinic gets exceptionally busy right before summer holidays, and medications take time to approve and fill and may need to be shipped to your home.
Test Runs: Getting your prescription early allows you to do a trial dose at home, ensuring it works perfectly before the noise begins.
We're Here for You
At Four Paws Wellness Center, we want every pet to enjoy a safe and healthy summer. If you have questions about summer pet care, tick prevention, travel, or any health concerns, please contact our team. We're always happy to help keep your four-legged family members thriving all season long.
Have a wonderful and safe summer from all of us at Four Paws Wellness Center!