Friday, July 3, 2009

4th of July and Summer Safety!

It's that time of year dog owners! The June gloom is behind us and Summer is here! I know because I got a pretty bad sunburn this past weekend and my back is peeling!

What does this mean for your dogs? It means you need to pay a bit more attention to them.

Make sure you NEVER leave them in the car. Not even with the windows down! Think ahead. If you must take them but can't take them in to where you are headed then go on that errand at another time! The car's temperature inside increases FAST and it gets extremely hot inside. ** you should never leave your dog in the car anyways!**

Make sure you always bring extra water for your dog! I went on a walk yesterday and made sure I shared my water with my dog. He's working too! And it's Hot outside! It's very important to keep the animals hydrated, as it is yourself. You can buy portable water bowls and even portable dog water bottles with a bowl attached!

Pay attention to how hot the payment is. Some dogs may burn their paw pads. If you're planning a noon-day walk, perhaps reschedule until early evening when the pavement is a bit cooler.

Some fair skinned dogs or light muzzled dogs may burn easily too. Check with your Vet for the best SPF skin protectant..

With fire works - the BEST solution is to leave your dog at home. Even a CD with calm music to cover up the loud noises going on outside helps too. You can look into purchasing calming collars which have a great effect as well.

Keep in mind dog's senses- especially hearing! are far superior than ours. So it should be no surprise that the fireworks would be a bit frightening to them. The idea of watching a firework show and having a picnic just isn't their cup of tea!! Do what's best for THEM....keep them at home and try not to go walking at the time fireworks may be going on.

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