Safety
Summer Care for Canines
Did you know that a common cause of sunburn for dogs is the sun reflecting up from the sidewalk to a dogs underbelly?
Protect Your Pets From Sunburn
Ah, the sunny days of summer are here--time for dogs to take long walks and play Frisbee at the park or beach and for cats to sunbathe on the windowsill. Before stepping out to enjoy the summer weather, you should protect your pet as well as yourself from the harmful effects of too much sun.
Sunlight is healthy for pets as it is for people; sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D, which protects the skin and helps balance the body's calcium levels and metabolism. However, too much of anything can be harmful, and too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburn, or solar dermatitis, in cats and dogs.
According to Dr. Karen Campbell, veterinary dermatologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, sunburn starts as redness and hair loss on the ear tips, bridge of the nose, or abdomen and can lead to skin ulceration, infection, and carcinoma. Excessive sun exposure can also exacerbate existing skin problems. Read more >
Winter Care for Canines
General Concerns and Health Tips from the American Kennel Club
Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:
Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors. Read more >
Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series Vol. 2: Dog First Aid
Dog First Aid is a valuable resource for dog owners as well as dog handlers for therapy dogs, police K-9 units and search and rescue units.
The new manual includes information for dogs and puppies of all sizes, how to keep them healthy, prepare for an emergency, how to recognize and respond to a medical emergency until veterinary care is available.
Dog First Aid is bundled with a DVD in the back cover that demonstrates how to perform many of the first aid steps described in the book. The DVD is closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
Topics covered include:
- Symptoms and care for common ailments and emergencies
- Instructions for creating a pet first aid kit, giving medications and how to recognize emergencies
- Tips on maintaining your pet’s health and well-being
- First aid guidance on caring for nearly 70 canine health conditions
To purchase a copy of Dog First Aid for your family or favorite canine owner, visit the Red Cross online store
