Next weekend is Memorial weekend, and it’s time to go soak in the sun! We thought it would be helpful to provide some tips that can make the holiday weekend enjoyable for all of your family members!

1. Have updated ID and photos of all your pets.

This goes without saying, but sometimes the animals get so nervous and scared they might try to run off and find a safe place. Having proper identification and updated photos greatly increases their chances of coming home sooner. At our store Whiskers & Wags, we sell a variety of collars and ID tags that you can purchase on campus.

2. Have safe and quality fun!

Barbequing is one of the best parts of Memorial Day, but remember that the food and drink you serve your guests may be poisonous to pets. Keep all the food and drink away from your friends, even if they beg politely! Many barbecue-typical foods are toxic to animals.

3. Brush up on flea/tick treatment.

Ticks and fleas are more abundant than ever because of the mild winter we had. They will find a host environment in dogs and cats, and during a celebration it might go unnoticed. We also sell seresto collars which help battle unwanted visitors for up to eight months. They will help during that barbecue and high heated areas! They can be found at our retail store Whiskers & Wags.

4. Always keep fresh, clean water at the ready.

This should be nothing new, but always provide a nice clean bowl of fresh water for your pet. I personally have two bowls of water in the house and one outside on our patio, if my dog wants to lay in the shade outside. If it is too hot, only take them outside for necessary potty breaks, and no need to over-exercise. We wouldn’t want you or your pet to get overheated!

5. Be careful around the pool.

Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers! Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Also, try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains potentially dangerous chemicals like chlorine.

6. Buckle up!

Of course most pets will love a car ride, but warmer weather can include different insects and allergens as well. Be careful of letting them stick their head out the window, as they are at risk for injuries and infections if anything lands on them. Technically a seatbelt or any safety harness would be best to travel with.

7. Be a little shady!

Be sure any outdoor dog or cat always has a comfortable place in the shade. Don’t tether a pet because shade locations will change during the day. Tethering also doesn’t allow an animal to move away from bees or other annoying insects.

 

8. Consider keeping them in a separate room.

With strangers coming to the door over the weekend, they might be on edge. By keeping them in a separate room, not only will they not escape, they will feel safer in the comfort of their home, not seeing scary objects!

 

9. Make the area secure.

Memorial Day is a high traffic holiday with so many people heading out for a cookout. When the kids are playing in the yard, please remind them to keep the gate closed at all times if the dog has access to a fenced-in area. This will ensure that your pet does not run into oncoming traffic or a busy street and get struck.

10. Always protect with sunscreen!

Never use a repellant intended for a human on a pet. Many of the chemicals that are in these products can easily harm your animal if they are ingested. There are special repellents and sun screens you can use on your pets. Make sure you read all information about these products before you try them out on the family dog.

Hopefully these tips find you and are useful. You can also visit our campus and meet some adoptable waifs!

  • Monday: CLOSED
  • Tuesday: Noon-8pm
  • Wednesday: Noon-8pm
  • Thursday: Noon-8pm
  • Friday: Noon-8pm
  • Saturday: 10am-5pm
  • Sunday: 10am-5pm

Written by Teryn J.