By Dawn Prate

Different precautions to protect your pet's health, safety and welfare differ depending on times of the year. While many precautions are exercised in the winter time, summer can produce hazards which are just as lethal to your pet. Here are some of the more common hazards to pets:

Heat stroke
Heat stroke can prove lethal to your pet. Common causes of heat stroke include:

• Leaving your pet in the car. Most people are aware that leaving a pet in a locked car on a 100Fdegree day is dangerous. However, the seemingly mild days of spring (and fall) pose a great danger, too. Driving around, parking and leaving your pet in the car for "just a minute" can be deadly. An 85F degree day can heat up the interior of a car to 120F to 130F degrees in 30 minutes or less — even with the windows cracked.

• Outdoor housing without shade. If you leave your pet outdoors, make sure it has access to plenty of shade and fresh water. If you live in a warm climate, it is a good idea to hose down the dog before work, at lunch or whenever you can to provide extra cooling.

• Over-exercising your pet in the middle of the day. This mistake is more common in dogs than cats. Keep in mind that your pet cannot shed clothing for the summer months.

If you suspect heat stroke in your pet, use cool water – not ice water – to cool your pet. Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach your veterinarian. Internal organs such as the liver, kidneys and brain are affected by the body temperature elevation, and blood tests and veterinary examination are needed to assess this. There is also a complex blood problem called DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) that can be a secondary complication to heat stroke that can be fatal.

Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus—as well as those dogs with heart or lung diseases—should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

Dehydration
If not given adequate fluids during the summer, your pet could become dehydrated. Usually this involves loss of both water and electrolytes. If you pet has a fever, bouts of vomiting or runny stool, it is much more likely to become dehydrated.

Tips for keepings your pets hydrated

• Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet

• Pick a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.

• Provide "wet" or canned food in order to boost their liquid intake.

Signs of dehydration

• Loss of skin elasticity (When the skin along the back is picked up into a fold, it should spring back into place. If the pet is dehydrated, the skin stays up in a ridge.)

• Dry mouth

• Sunken eyes and circulatory collapse.

All of these are late signs of dehydration. You should take your pet to the veterinarian immediately upon recognizing these symptoms.

Other summertime pet hazards
Antifreeze poisoning. The warmer temperatures of summer causes cars overheat and leak antifreeze. Watch for leaks in your car's antifreeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets but is extremely toxic, even in very small amounts. If ingested, the 95 percent ethylene glycol mixture will cause kidney failure.

In acute cases of antifreeze poisoning, your pet will appear to be intoxicated with alcohol. Stumbling, vomiting and depression are common signs. Kidney failure usually occurs within 12 to 24 hours of ingestion in cats, 36 to 72 hours in dogs.

There is, however, a safe alternative to ethylene glycol-based antifreeze. Ask for antifreeze containing propylene glycol.

Sunburn. Shaving your dog's hair to a one-inch length – never down to the skin – helps prevent overheating. But don't shave your dog to the skin, as it is likely to get an uncomfortable sunburn.

Poisonous animals. Animals like toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions contain toxins. If ingested, your pet could need veterinary treatment.

Poisonous plants. Under certain environmental conditions, some algae species, called blue-green algae, can become toxic. Pets and livestock drinking lake water containing the toxic form of these algae may become sick and even die.

Yard fire hazards. Make sure pets stay clear of hot barbeques, Tiki torches and citronella candles.

Swimming pool chemicals. Store swimming pool treatment supplies like calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite out of reach of pets, and clean up any spills immediately.

Natural pest control strategies
Anyone who has a pet is going to contend with fleas, ticks and other external and internal parasites. These bugs aren’t just annoying; they cause sores and infection, increasing your pet's susceptibility to disease. Unfortunately, many of the products developed to deal with pests use dangerous and toxic chemicals. These chemicals resist natural decomposition processes and can accumulate in pets' body fat, just as it can in your own.

Understand the enemy
Parasites thrive in hot, humid, untidy environments. Changing these conditions can help you fight pests.

Keep your pet's bedding, house and play areas tidy and clean. Brush your pet daily, keeping an eye out for ticks and fleas. Adult ticks have long brown, oval bodies and six or eight legs. Ticks encased in a gray "bubble" are gorging themselves on blood. Ticks may also be removed by first saturating with alcohol, then carefully pulling off with tweezers, making sure to pull out the tick's head. A tick head buried in the animal’s skin may cause an infection or a cyst.

A pet's constant scratching may indicate fleas. Look for dark, gritty particles that indicate flea feces in fur. Mites are too small to detect, but symptoms include frantic scratching, biting and chewing. Your veterinarian can help you diagnose mites.

Non-toxic shampoos and "dip"
Shampoo your pet regularly with a mild, non-toxic shampoo that includes herbal essential oil repellents. While the harsh chemicals in some pet shampoos destroy your pet's natural oils and cause irritation, essential oils work naturally with your pet's biochemistry to ward off pests.

Some examples of essential oil repellents include citronella, cedarwood, eucalyptus, rosemary and bay leaf.

How to make your own pest control dip:

1. Add ¼ teaspoon essential oil repellent to 1 teaspoon non-toxic shampoo and 1 cup of water

2.  Mix thoroughly and pour over your pet

3.  Avoid contact with your pet's eyes and mouth

4.  Let the "dip" dry on your pet’s coat

5. If your pet is sensitive to the oils, decrease the amount applied. Irritations are only temporary

6. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water to dilute the degree of sensitivity.

Natural flea powders
When your pet is between baths, apply natural or herbal flea powders like sage, wormwood, eucalyptus and bay leaf, which have repellent effects similar to those of essential oils. These powders begin working on contact, but frequent applications are needed since some insects recover within a few hours.

Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is finely ground fossilized diatoms or shells. When this material is finely ground, the microscopically sharp edges of the particles pierce the protective coating of parasites so that they dry out and die. Diatomaceous earth can also prevent internal parasites, like worms, in pets. Typical dosages include:

Internal use: One teaspoon daily for cats, small dogs and puppies, and one tablespoon for dogs over 55 pounds.

External use: Put one cup of diatomaceous earth in a salt shaker and apply to the animal's extremities, combing it through to the skin. Repeat weekly. Since the diatomaceous earth particles can irritate the eyes and the respiratory system, keep the dust of the animal’s eyes, nostrils and mouth.

Herbal flea collars
Herbal flea collars take advantage of the benefits of essential herbal oil repellents described earlier. Two types are available: a plastic collar impregnated with herbal oils, and a rechargeable cotton variety.

Natural benefits of grooming
Whether of short- or long-haired variety, your pet will benefit from consistent grooming. Brushing stimulates the coat and skin, decreasing the number of parasites and the amount of dander. But don't stop at your pet's coat. There are many grooming options that can enhance your pet's health and comfort.

Eyes and ears: Eyes should be cleaned of any discharge with a soft cloth moistened with water or saline solution. Ear discomfort is indicated by scratching or head shaking. Infections can settle deep in the ear canal and should be treated by your veterinarian immediately.

Dental hygiene: Since pets depend on their teeth for survival, the mouth should be examined periodically for signs of gum disease and tartar accumulation. This should be a major part of the annual veterinary examination, and any problems should be addressed immediately.

Nails and claws: Few dogs exercise on hard surfaces to keep their nails filed down, so it is your job to clip their nails, to keep them comfortable. Be careful not to cut too short, as you could end up nicking the quick of the nail, which will result in bleeding that can be messy and difficult to stop. Nail clipping services are sometimes offered by pet stores, if you're not comfortable cutting your own pet's nails.

Conclusion
Pets are considered our best friends for good reason. Their loyalty and friendship can be invaluable, and such friends should at the very least be rewarded with your best efforts to ensure their health, safety, happiness and welfare.

Simple changes like spending a bit more on natural, safer food, or taking them outside for a walk or playtime, and protecting them from household hazards all year round can mean a world of difference for your pet's well-being. And some of the most basic safety precautions can be made for little to no money and very little time.

About the author
Dawn Prate is the co-author of The Real Safety Guide to Pet Health, the latest guide from RealSafety.org that outlines doable strategies for keeping your pet healthy, safe and living an enjoyable, stress-free life. This article is an excerpt from this book. For more seasonal tips and natural pet solutions visit http://www.realsafety.org/PetHealth.html.