Since we are in the dog days of summer, no pun intended, this is article is both timely and useful.  Kim Grant shows us how to keep our best friends safe with some good advice.

With summer here, dog owners are taking their canine companions everywhere — parks, beaches, flea markets, outdoor restaurants, festivals, vacations, hiking and boating. Though it’s great to be outdoors, remember to protect your pet from the sun and heat.

Although most humans use sunscreen, a lot of us don’t realize how important it is for our pets too.

While bubblegum pink is the trendy color for canine couture this season, a pink nose, ears and belly can be painful. Yes pets can get sunburn just like humans.

For dogs, protect the nose and belly, which tend to turn bright pink from the sun, and other areas where fur is thin. Cats can benefit as well by applying to their nose and tips of ears. Talk with your veterinarian to find out which sunscreen is best for your pet.

Read all her great tips so you and your buddy will have a fun and safe summer.

As those of us in America celebrate our country’s independence today, we need to be cognizant of the effect  fireworks have on our beloved pets. The newspaper Deseret has a good article on the subject.  Here’s an interesting tidbit on the effect of the loud booms and bangs that I never considered.

In most normal five-day stretches during the summer last year, his shelter would pick up about 66 stray cats and 70 stray dogs. But he said that in the five days surrounding July 4, it picked up 90 cats and 95 dogs - or 36 percent more than normal. “We always see big increases around July Fourth, and the same thing happens again around the 24th,” he said, adding that other cities in the county and state report the same.

It makes sense that dogs and cats would try to get away from all that noise. Fortunately the article also give advice on how to minimize their anxiety.

Doug Poindexter, president of the World Wide Pet Industry Association, said, “There are number of tips we have to try and help minimize stress by pets. First, bring your pets inside. Keep them in a room that is as sound resistant as possible” and then play music or the television there to drown out noise from fireworks.

Read the full article to find out all the tips they give and make this the calmest 4th for your pet ever.

Happy 4th of July!!