As winter turns to spring and summer, it’s time to get your dog ready for the season. Much like you, they’re probably ready to get outside and enjoy the nice weather and everything that comes with it.
Here are a few tips to help your dog make the most of the summer season and keep them safe as the temperatures rise:
Grooming
Proper grooming is important in the summer, but not for the reason you might think. While it’s tempting to get rid of as much hair or fur as possible, that long coat actually helps keep a dog cool in warm weather. Resist the urge to completely shave your dog’s coat and check with your groomer or veterinarian about proper grooming technique for the summer months.
The more time your dog spends outside, the more likely its coat is to become matted and dirty. You may find that you need to brush or bathe your do more often in the summer than you do during the cooler months.
More time outdoors also means more chances of picking up ticks and other unwanted pests. Any time your dog comes in from extended time outside, check its coat thoroughly for fleas and ticks. If you do find one, remove it as quickly as possible and consult with your vet if needed.
Exercise
If your dog has been cooped up inside for most of the winter, you may need to transition slowly into more outdoor exercise and play. Much like you can’t go from sitting on the couch to running a marathon, your dog can’t go from laying around inside to walking miles and miles each day.
As the days get longer and the weather becomes nicer, gradually increase your daily walks to build up your dog’s endurance and tolerance for being outside. It’s not just about physical fitness; paws need time to become conditioned to walking on outdoor surfaces.
Much like training for a race or other fitness event, all it takes is a little time and patience for your dog to make the most of the outdoor weather. As activity level increases, be prepared to up the amount of food accordingly and make sure that there’s plenty of water around so that your dog does not get dehydrated.
Diet
Many of us tend to have more parties and guests around during the summer, which means more opportunities for your dog to receive food from the table and things that are outside of its normal diet. A little indulgence every now and again is not a bad thing, but too much table food can lead to weight gain.
Make sure that your guests know which foods are and are not safe to give to your dog. Alcohol, chocolate, and onions are definitely out, and there may be other foods that don’t agree with your dog.
Keeping table food away from your dog during parties may be easier said than done, especially if you have a lot of guests around. The safest option is to separate your dog from your guests during meal time, then bring everyone back together once everyone has finished eating.
Vacation
This is also a good time of year to consider whether or not your dog will be joining you on vacation this summer. Make sure that your hotel or summer vacation lodging accepts pets and that you have paid any extra fees or deposits necessary to bring your dog with you.
However, some dogs do not like changes in their routines, which makes vacation problematic.
If you opt to leave your dog at home, For Your Spot can make sure your pets are well cared for while you are away.
Our pet sitting services start at just $25. Contact us to learn more and book your services before the calendar fills up for the summer.