This time of year is full of summer fun like BBQs, pool parties, camping and so on. For animals, summer can become a stressful time of year due to the heat, in-climate weather and fireworks.

Heat
In the summer, temperatures in vehicles can increase by 10C in 10 minutes. For humans, even sitting inside a car on a 20C day can be too hot to sit in for 10 minutes, never mind our furry friends who have a thick layer of fur and insulation. Make sure to leave your pet at home if your trip includes any stops where they can't leave the vehicle. Even running into the store for a quick bag of milk can cause extreme stress on your pet in the heat. 

Fireworks/Thunderstorms
Due to pets being able to hear noises at higher octaves than humans, loud noises that may not seem bothersome to us may cause stress to our pets. Here are a few tips to keep your pet relaxed during fireworks or thunderstorms:
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1. Keep your pets indoors during fireworks. Many pets are lost during holidays with fireworks because they become loose and frightened.
2. While indoors, ensure your pet has a safe space provided to them. Many pets will feel more secure in a small, enclosed space, so a crate with a blanket draped over it may provide this safe haven.
3. Keep windows and blinds shut to muffle the noise and visual affects of thunderstorms and fireworks.
4. There are products available to aid in relaxing your pet such as Royal Canin Calm kibble, Mellow Treats, Feliway and Adaptil sprays. All of these products are available for sale at Southgate