From Road Trips to Backyard BBQ’s Here are 4 Tips for Having the Best Summer Ever with Your Pet
Enjoy your summer with your pet! Summer can be a wonderful time for playing with your pet. Please keep in mind it can also be a dangerous time. Whether you love to take your pup kayaking on the Potomac or spending extra time on the hiking trails of Great Falls, please be prepared to keep your pets cool and hydrated during our humid summers! Here are some additional tips for having the best summer ever with your pet!
1. Disaster Preparedness
A disaster can happen in the blink of an eye. If you prepare ahead, you’ll be ready and organized when disaster strikes.
- Each pet needs ID tags and a microchip.
- Prepare an emergency kit for each pet. It should contain food, medications, vet info, treats, extra leashes, poopy bags, bowls, can opener, spoon, blankets, water, litter, and crates or carriers.
- Find pet-friendly shelters before a disaster happens.
- Know where the closest emergency veterinary hospital is.
- Get a red Rescue Alert Sticker for your home.
2. Coyotes
Did you know that coyotes live in every single state except Hawaii? They are even found in NYC! They tend to thrive around people because they eat our left out pet food, birdseed, and get into our trash. Sadly coyote attacks on our pets are on the rise and not just on tiny friends. Although it rarely happens, they have attacked people too. Here are tips to keep us all safe.
- Don’t feed wildlife.
- Don’t leave food out for your pets or feed them outside.
- Don’t let your cat or dog out unattended.
- Close gaps under your porch or deck – that area makes a perfect den for coyote moms.
- Make your yard less attractive to coyotes. Keep bushes trimmed to reduce cover, install fences, and use motion triggered deterrents like lights or a sprinkler system.
- If you see a coyote in your yard (and you’re not at risk), be annoying, make your yard a place they don’t want to hang out. Clap your hands, toss rocks near it, make loud noises (with an airhorn available at marine stores), shine a flashlight in their eyes, or spray them with a hose. But don’t put yourself in danger.
- If your pet gets a coyote bite, they will require immediate veterinary attention.
- Again, don’t leave your pet outside unattended.
3. Fast Food For Your Pet
Hitting the drive-thru with your dog? Then head to these places, and your pup won’t be left out.
- Starbucks: they have a Puppuccino at all locations.
- Tim Hortons: ask for the sugar-free Timbits.
- Johnny Rockets: many locations have doggie hamburgers and ice cream. All locations have fresh water on request.
- In-N-Out: their Pup Patty is a salt-free burger.
- Shake Shack: they go above and beyond with the Pooch-ini which has vanilla custard, peanut butter, and dog biscuits. Or, ask for the Bag of Bones which contains 5 of those specially made dog biscuits.
- Sonic: they have dog treats at the window.
- Sprinkles: they make cupcakes for your dog.
- Dairy Queen: they have always had a pup cup.
- Chick-Fil-A: always has dog treats at the drive-thru, ask for them.
Although these are retail stores, it’s good to know they love pets too.
- Saks Fifth Avenue stores: they LOVE pets and have always been very pet-friendly.
- Apple stores: Apple is its own universe, and they love pets, rumor has it…. they have even welcomed goats!
4. Fireworks
We mention this every year, and it’s worth a quick repeat. Here are several ideas to get your terrified pet through fireworks season. 
- Turn on soothing music or white noise.
- Never punish your pet for being afraid.
- Try distracting them with a game or toy.
- A Thunder Shirt works for many pets.
- Cuddling often helps.
- Don’t change your routines and stay calm. Your dog will pick up on your mood.
- If your pets are beyond help talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medications.
- Be sure your pet has an ID tag and is microchipped. More pets go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year.
Enjoy your summer with your pet!
