Before heading into August — one of the hottest months of the year — give your pets a comprehensive wellness review. Monthly check-ins help catch small issues before they escalate into serious summer problems.
Start with heat stress. Dogs and cats may show subtle signs: reduced stamina, clinginess, restlessness, or unusual lethargy. Pets adapt to heat in different ways, so compare behavior to their normal baseline. Outdoor animals like goats, chickens, and horses may graze less or drink more — subtle changes matter.
Check skin and fur. Look for hot spots, redness, dandruff, burrs, and insect bites. Summer weeds and grass seeds can get stuck between toes or irritate eyes. Cats may develop matting along their flanks from extra grooming. Outdoor animals may need fly-related wound checks.
Evaluate hydration. Water bowls should be emptying faster in July. If not, your pet may not be drinking enough. Add bowls, switch to fountains, or offer moisture-rich food. Heat stress and dehydration often go hand-in-hand.
Review parasite control. Confirm monthly doses for dogs and cats. In barns, check for flies, mites, ticks, or signs of irritations near tails, ears, and legs. Chickens may show feather loss or skin irritation if mites flare. Goats and horses may stomp, swish tails, or rub against posts when flies are overwhelming. Staying consistent with prevention now protects your whole animal family going into August.
Assess paws, teeth, and nails. Hot pavement, long grass, and pool chemicals all take a toll on paws. Summer snacks can increase tartar. Nails grow faster with summer activity. A quick physical check keeps everything in good shape. If you discover anything that needs attention — whether dental chews, soothing shampoos, hydration tools, or flea and tick preventatives — The Hungry Puppy has everything you need, plus free local delivery on orders over $49, so you can restock without leaving the AC.
A simple monthly check-in like this keeps your pets healthy, comfortable, and ready for the rest of summer — because August is waiting, and she does not play around.