Keeping your pets safe this summer

WISH-TV’S Gina Glaros sat down with Tom Dock, certified veterinary journalist from Noah’s Animal Hospitals, to discuss some recent trends and ways to keep your pets safe in the summer months.

Dock says that an emerging trend among pet owners is to feed their pets raw or homemade diets. He says that this mirrors trends like the Paleo diet. Dock warns that these diets can sometimes do more harm than good.

“We cook food for a reason, to kill bacteria. Many of these diets will have E. coli, listeria, salmonella, which your pet may get. They may not show symptoms, but they can transmit it to you.”

Another issue is that many people are worried about their pets catching and transmitting hantavirus. Dock says that it’s unclear whether or not pets can catch and transmit hantavirus.

Also, the cost of care is up at the vet’s office. Dock says that because of this, people aren’t taking their pets in for care as often. He says people are even skipping things as serious as emergency care. Dock acknowledges that costs have risen and offers some alternative options to help take some of the sting away.

And, things are heating up, and many people want to spend time outside with their pets. Dock warns that things like taking your pets with you to the store and taking them out for walks on blacktop can do serious harm.

Learn more in this interview!

#NoahsAnimalHospitals #TomDock #RawDogFood #Hantavirus #VetCosts #PetsAndHeat