Prevention is the key to pet safety at all times of year. Follow these simple summer safety tips for your pet, so you two can make the most of another beautiful season in Virginia Beach, VA.

Pets can get dehydrated quickly. It’s important to keep fresh, cool water available to them at all times on hot, humid days. When outdoors, keep to the shade. On extremely hot days, avoid spending any unnecessary time outdoors.

If your pet usually likes to accompany you on errands or on visits to friend’s houses, be mindful to never leave them alone in the car – not even for one or two minutes. It can lead to fatal heat stroke within minutes, and in many states, it is illegal.

Never leave your pet unsupervised around a pool. Not all dogs know how to swim, so be sure to introduce your dog to water slowly and always with a life vest on. If your dog does enter a pool at some point, make sure to rinse all chlorine off his fur after he exits the pool.

Have your dog groomed accordingly, but never shave them and avoid having their hair cut too short. Dog’s coats help to protect them from sunburn and excessive heat. Even in the heat, they need their coats to keep cool.

When out on walks, try to avoid hot sidewalks or asphalt as these can burn your pup’s paw pads. Stick to shady, grassy areas as often as possible, and when you must walk on hot asphalt, do so quickly and don’t linger.

Keep your pups safely at home and in their comfort zone during July 4th celebrations. Fireworks can be loud and terrifying to many animals, and can cause your pet to become disoriented or lost if they aren’t safely kept at home where it is quiet and escape-proof.

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Keeping your apartment clean with a dog, particularly a dog that sheds a lot, can seem tricky. With a few tried and true tips, you can keep your pup from tracking in dirt and debris and prevent his dander from building up on every surface in your home. Simply covering your furniture, investing in a robot vacuum and wiping down his paws after sandy or muddy beach walks will go a long way to keep your floors and couches clean.

Here are 5 tips for keeping your apartment clean with a dog.

Cover Your Furniture
While some dog owners don’t allow their pups on their furniture, many love to snuggle and cozy up to their fur babies on the couch. Most dogs shed, and some dogs shed more than others. If you don’t keep your furniture covered, you’re bound to end up with a layer of dander on your couches, chairs and bedding. Grab a few old sheets and cover the areas your pet chooses to cozy up in most. You won’t have to spend any extra cash, and you can easily wash and reuse to keep your apartment clean and dander-free.

Roomba for the Win
Depending on your dog’s breed and coat, he can grow to be a major shedder – leaving dog hair everywhere he goes. It can be exhausting to keep up with shedding by using a handheld vacuum, but a robot vacuum can get after their fur with little effort on your part. Invest in a Roomba and consider running it once a day, particularly if you have a dog that sheds often. It’ll save you time and elbow grease, and keep your apartment from becoming overloaded with dust and dander.

Invest in Rugs
Rugs can be really helpful for older dogs who are already house trained. They provide traction for their feet and make it easier for you to keep floors from becoming scratched and dirty. Smaller, washable rugs are especially useful, as you can pick them up and throw them in the wash any time your pup tracks in dirt or they become covered in pet hair. Avoid investing in anything expensive or high maintenance, though. The lower maintenance and easier to clean, the better.

Trim Your Pup’s Nails
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is important to his healthcare routine, and it will go a long way to help prevent your floors from becoming scratched up. You should aim to keep his nails trimmed short, but not too short. This will help him to walk better and prevent his nails from snagging on carpet or rugs. Overall, he’ll feel better when his nails are trimmed properly, and so will you and your flooring!

Wash His Feet After Walks
Your pup loves to romp in the sand, dirt and grass, and taking long walks together is good for both of you. Dogs can track in a ton of the outdoors on their paws. If you and your dog walk frequently or during rainy seasons, it can be an uphill battle to prevent dirt and debris from ending up all over your apartment. Rather than cut back on walks, rinse or wipe down your pup’s feet before he comes through your front door – especially after walks on the beach or after heavy rain.

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When seasons change, it’s important to be mindful of the impact these transitions will have on your pet. From coat care and preventative tick maintenance to changing products and lifestyle habits inside your home, you’ll want to be aware of how best to care for your pet’s health along the way.

Living in Virginia Beach means having beaches, state parks and gorgeous, sunny days at your fingertips, all year long. Here are simple health tips to help your pet feel their best this fall.

Coat Care
In summer months, you may have your dog’s coat cut back by a groomer to keep him cool and comfortable on walks. As the weather cools down, consult with your groomer about their coat and how best to care for it as it gets cold.

Beware of Ticks
Fall is still high tick season in Coastal Virginia, and that means you still have to do tick checks after taking your pup out for romps at the state park or in high grass. If your dog isn’t on a tick preventative medication, now is the perfect time to consult your veterinarian and get them started.

School Supplies and Holiday Decor
Fall brings with it the start of school and the cue to begin holiday planning. This may mean that your apartment becomes stocked in an abundance of school supplies like shiny markers and pens, quirky erasers and other fun supplies that can be harmful or dangerous to curious cats and dogs. Try to keep supplies and holiday decor out of your pet’s reach. Keep smaller supplies stored on top shelves or inside closed cabinet doors.

Mushrooms
Fall is mushroom season, and while most growing fungus is harmless, some mushrooms can be toxic for your dog if consumed. Be mindful of where your pup’s snout lands while on walks, and keep him away from strange mushrooms or other mysterious growth that he may want to explore with his mouth.

Rodenticides and Antifreeze
Pesky critter season and cold weather are on their way, so be cautious about keeping poisonous products within reach of your dog or cat. Keep rodenticides safely locked up in a cabinet, and if you must store antifreeze in your home, find a safe, locked storage space for that as well.

Changes in Routine
When seasons change, so do our routines, and this can sometimes throw our pets for a loop. If you have a sensitive dog or cat, changing routines can be stressful and even scary. They may begin barking excessively, leaving surprises for you inside your home or hissing or growling unexpectedly. Try to take it slow with your pet, and give them extra TLC during times of transition. Consider visiting your vet for a checkup to make sure that your pet is feeling their best, and make the season change as comfortable and smooth for them as possible.

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We know you take your leisure time as seriously as you do your work. With a convenient commute that puts you just 10 minutes away from I 64 and I 264, you’ll have more time to make the most of your time off in your seaside location in sought-after Shore Drive. Grab your morning coffee at Lynnhaven Coffee Company, enjoy a beach or trail run before work, and immerse yourself in the night life at Hot Tuna, Ballyhoos and Chic’s Oyster Bar.

Spend your weekends biking to the beach with friends, soaking up the sun at the Bay or along the North End of Virginia Beach’s gleaming oceanfront. Celebrate the convenience of waking up in the heart of Virginia Beach’s ultimate, waterfront lifestyle at The Pearl.

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Pets and pet owners can rejoice in having more time together and more opportunities to play, get out for walks and bond. Some pets will find the change to their lives to be unsettling, and can have a variety of reactions to the adjustment to their lifestyle. It’s important to establish a routine for your pet, to help them adapt as comfortably as possible.

Stocking up on their food and pet care products is also crucial to maintaining appropriate social distancing. You won’t want to have to run out to the store every few days for cat litter, dog food, new toys, a replacement leash, etc.

Dog owners will also need to be extra mindful during walks and outdoor play time. It’s important to keep your distance from other dog owners while out and about, and to avoid letting others pet or rub on your dog with bare hands.

Here are simple tips to help you safely keep your social distance with your favorite pet.

Establish a Routine

If you’ve never worked from home, your pet is likely not used to you being around all the time. While this might be exciting for them, it can also cause some uncertainty and confusion. Establish a routine for them, right away, and stick to it. Wake up at the same time each day, feed them on the same schedule, take dogs on walks at the same time and indulge in play time on a daily schedule. While we know this takes some of the fun and spontaneity out of your day, it will help your pet to relax and feel settled sooner.

Extra Playtime

If your dog was used to playing at the dog park each day or going on exciting hiking adventures at suddenly closed state parks, it’s time to amp up the playtime and exercise. Purchase a few stimulating toys for use indoors, or buy a new ball or throw toy to play with in empty spaces while out for walks. If your pet is showing signs of distress or having extra energy, giving them additional attention and mental stimulation will help to settle their minds.

Stock Up

To avoid going to the store often, stock up on pet supplies to last you for two weeks at a time. This means, storing enough food, toys, leashes, collars, litter and any other pet care supplies your pet relies on. Should a mandatory stay at home order be issued, this will truly allow you to avoid leaving unless absolutely necessary.

Feeding Schedule & Extra Exercise

Try to keep your pet on the same feeding schedule they know. This will avoid restless eating and weight gain that can wreak havoc on different breeds of dog and cat. It also creates a sense of consistency and a routine that pets can relax and rely on. Getting in extra exercise may also be paramount to your pet’s happiness during these times. Head out more often for walks with your dog, give your kitty extra play time with the laser pointer or feather wand, and when in doubt, keep them moving.

Maintain a Peaceful Home Environment

Your pet may be unsettled no matter how many preventative steps you take. Try to maintain a calm and peaceful environment for them at home, to help them find quiet, get extra sleep and get adjusted. This means avoiding loud, raucous music and keeping the volume at a comfortable level during conference calls or web ex meetings. Remember that this change is a big one for your pet, and they won’t have any way to understand why. Give them as much peace and calm at home to help them adapt with ease.

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