As the seasons change, we often must adapt our lives around the alterations in weather conditions. Our pets also must deal with the consequences of seasonal weather, and to help ensure their comfort and safety, here are some tips for every kind of weather.
The scorching heat of summer can make us all a bit miserable at times, but unlike dogs, at least humans have a built-in system of sweat glands that help them cool off. Dogs do have some sweat glands, mostly in their paws, but this doesn't really help them control their overall body temperature. Providing shady spots to relax outside or allowing them to bask in the joy of an air-conditioned house are good options. Dogs need plenty of water in the summertime, and it's also not a bad idea to shorten the length of their fur during the hottest months. Be sure to never leave your dog in a hot car as this is a very common and tragic cause of pet death. If your dog craves a daily walk, just keep it a bit shorter and opt for early morning or at twilight, when the temperature drops.
Winter has its own special challenges, as well, and while most dogs have a fluffy coat just right for cold weather, frostbite can be a concern. Older dogs and puppies especially are prone to being affected by the cold, so make sure they are comfortable and warm enough. Keep dogs away from the fireplace, as well, to prevent burns. The winter holidays also pose some hazards, so keep dogs away from munching on tinsel, ribbons, gift wrap and the electrical cords where we plug in our Christmas lights.
When the weather begins to heat up and signs of Spring abound, there are other concerns for the dog owner. For one thing, as flowers begin to bloom, this attracts plenty of insects and some of these insects can harm your dog, such as wasps, hornets and bees. This can be quite dangerous, especially if your dog is stung on the tongue, which requires immediate medical attention. In addition to stings, pollen can cause discomfort for your dog just as it can for you. Wiping paws after a walk, gently wiping the nose and a bath with hypoallergenic shampoo can help reduce the effects of allergies, but some dogs do need medicine to alleviate seasonal allergies.
As the leaves change color and the temperatures begin to drop, problems such as pollen and insects begin to become less of a problem. During Autumn, the main problems that are seen involve holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween. Be sure to keep candy out of the reach of your pet as some nuts and all chocolate are dangerous for dogs and they shouldn't have even a modest amount of processed sugar. Thanksgiving is a day of indulgence for humans, but it really shouldn't be for pets. Altering their diet can cause stomach distress and while a tiny nibble or two might be ok, keep the human food to a minimum.
Truly, one of the best ways to keep a pet safe and healthy is by ensuring that your dog is well trained. An obedient dog will stay away from harmful plants and animals when commanded and will not run away and end up in dangerous situations. If you are struggling with obedience issues, consider an easy-to-follow DVD dog training system such as The Dog's Way. In just a few weeks, your dog will be a happy and safe pet.
The scorching heat of summer can make us all a bit miserable at times, but unlike dogs, at least humans have a built-in system of sweat glands that help them cool off. Dogs do have some sweat glands, mostly in their paws, but this doesn't really help them control their overall body temperature. Providing shady spots to relax outside or allowing them to bask in the joy of an air-conditioned house are good options. Dogs need plenty of water in the summertime, and it's also not a bad idea to shorten the length of their fur during the hottest months. Be sure to never leave your dog in a hot car as this is a very common and tragic cause of pet death. If your dog craves a daily walk, just keep it a bit shorter and opt for early morning or at twilight, when the temperature drops.
Winter has its own special challenges, as well, and while most dogs have a fluffy coat just right for cold weather, frostbite can be a concern. Older dogs and puppies especially are prone to being affected by the cold, so make sure they are comfortable and warm enough. Keep dogs away from the fireplace, as well, to prevent burns. The winter holidays also pose some hazards, so keep dogs away from munching on tinsel, ribbons, gift wrap and the electrical cords where we plug in our Christmas lights.
When the weather begins to heat up and signs of Spring abound, there are other concerns for the dog owner. For one thing, as flowers begin to bloom, this attracts plenty of insects and some of these insects can harm your dog, such as wasps, hornets and bees. This can be quite dangerous, especially if your dog is stung on the tongue, which requires immediate medical attention. In addition to stings, pollen can cause discomfort for your dog just as it can for you. Wiping paws after a walk, gently wiping the nose and a bath with hypoallergenic shampoo can help reduce the effects of allergies, but some dogs do need medicine to alleviate seasonal allergies.
As the leaves change color and the temperatures begin to drop, problems such as pollen and insects begin to become less of a problem. During Autumn, the main problems that are seen involve holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween. Be sure to keep candy out of the reach of your pet as some nuts and all chocolate are dangerous for dogs and they shouldn't have even a modest amount of processed sugar. Thanksgiving is a day of indulgence for humans, but it really shouldn't be for pets. Altering their diet can cause stomach distress and while a tiny nibble or two might be ok, keep the human food to a minimum.
Truly, one of the best ways to keep a pet safe and healthy is by ensuring that your dog is well trained. An obedient dog will stay away from harmful plants and animals when commanded and will not run away and end up in dangerous situations. If you are struggling with obedience issues, consider an easy-to-follow DVD dog training system such as The Dog's Way. In just a few weeks, your dog will be a happy and safe pet.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan likes watching dog show. For additional information about the best dog training DVDs, or to find dog leash training videos online, please check out the TheDogsWay.com site today.
No comments:
Post a Comment