As the year passes, the needs of our dogs change. The temperature changes and other seasonal issues definitely can pose some hazards for your pet. Unless you live in an area where the weather is almost always constant, the following tips can help you accommodate your pet's needs through the year.
For most dog owners, the most hazardous season is summer. The excessive heat can really take a toll on your beloved dog. After all, while people have many sweat glands to help them regulate body temperature, your dog only has a few of these glands and simply cannot cool off as efficiently. This is why dogs should never be left in a car on a hot day even with the windows rolled down. Dogs also should get their daily exercise during the cooler times of the day, such as early morning or after the sun sets. If possible, give your dog a new and shorter haircut during the summertime. If you do head out for a family picnic or some fun at the park, provide a source of shade and dish of water for your dog.
While that furry coat might provide your dog with a big winter advantage over humans, dogs still can be affected by the cold of winter. Frostbite can occur and because the winter tends to be very dry, dehydration also can be a problem. Puppies and old dogs tend to feel the ill effects of winter more markedly than healthy dogs in the prime of life. Some dogs also just seem to get cold more easily than others, just as people do, so just be aware of your dogs needs. Of course, with winter comes the holiday season, so make sure your dog doesn't nibble on gift wrap, chew on the Christmas tree or munch on electrical cords or tinsel.
As the Ides of March approach and the promise of Spring is in the air, other challenges arise for our pets. For one thing, we begin planting during these Spring months and often use pesticides and slug bait in our gardens, which can be toxic for pets. People aren't the only ones often affected by allergies, so sometimes these seasonal allergies also will affect an animal. In addition, the bug world is waking up from winter, and there are bees and other insects roaming about. Stings and bites are more common in the Spring and Summer and when your pet is bitten or stung, you will need to provide some medical care.
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.
If you have a rascally hound that loves to cavort in the flower beds and cannot wait to hit the park and dive into bushes and head off trail on hiking trips, this can be a big problem at any time of year. Dogs can come into contact with ticks, other animals, scratchy bushes and plants and toxins. To keep your pet from running off, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can prevent these problems with proper obedience training using a dog training program. The Dog's Way, for instance, is an easy option as it is a set of dog training DVDs that provides clear, easy-to-follow lessons that you can do at home. After a few weeks of training, you dog will be a safer and happier animal.
For most dog owners, the most hazardous season is summer. The excessive heat can really take a toll on your beloved dog. After all, while people have many sweat glands to help them regulate body temperature, your dog only has a few of these glands and simply cannot cool off as efficiently. This is why dogs should never be left in a car on a hot day even with the windows rolled down. Dogs also should get their daily exercise during the cooler times of the day, such as early morning or after the sun sets. If possible, give your dog a new and shorter haircut during the summertime. If you do head out for a family picnic or some fun at the park, provide a source of shade and dish of water for your dog.
While that furry coat might provide your dog with a big winter advantage over humans, dogs still can be affected by the cold of winter. Frostbite can occur and because the winter tends to be very dry, dehydration also can be a problem. Puppies and old dogs tend to feel the ill effects of winter more markedly than healthy dogs in the prime of life. Some dogs also just seem to get cold more easily than others, just as people do, so just be aware of your dogs needs. Of course, with winter comes the holiday season, so make sure your dog doesn't nibble on gift wrap, chew on the Christmas tree or munch on electrical cords or tinsel.
As the Ides of March approach and the promise of Spring is in the air, other challenges arise for our pets. For one thing, we begin planting during these Spring months and often use pesticides and slug bait in our gardens, which can be toxic for pets. People aren't the only ones often affected by allergies, so sometimes these seasonal allergies also will affect an animal. In addition, the bug world is waking up from winter, and there are bees and other insects roaming about. Stings and bites are more common in the Spring and Summer and when your pet is bitten or stung, you will need to provide some medical care.
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.
If you have a rascally hound that loves to cavort in the flower beds and cannot wait to hit the park and dive into bushes and head off trail on hiking trips, this can be a big problem at any time of year. Dogs can come into contact with ticks, other animals, scratchy bushes and plants and toxins. To keep your pet from running off, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can prevent these problems with proper obedience training using a dog training program. The Dog's Way, for instance, is an easy option as it is a set of dog training DVDs that provides clear, easy-to-follow lessons that you can do at home. After a few weeks of training, you dog will be a safer and happier animal.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan likes watching dog show. For additional information regarding the best dog training DVDs, or to find dog leash training videos online, please visit the TheDogsWay website today.
No comments :
Post a Comment