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Dog Care in Summer & Winter
Changing weather brings about a change in human lifestyle. Similarly, dogs also need to adjust their lifestyles. Summer as well as winter season can pose special risks to your pet dog.
Here are some tips for keeping them safe and healthy.
Summer care tips:
- Fresh water and shade are the two most important things a dog needs in summers. Dogs dehydrate very quickly in the summer sun and heat, so remember to refill a large dish with cool, clean water regularly throughout the day. Even if dog’s resting place is well-shaded naturally, you will still need to erect some sort of extra shelter from the heat, or best keep it inside the house if you are at home.
- Heat-stroke: Some of the worst summer tragedies involve dogs that are left in cars parked in the sun. Temperatures inside a car can rapidly skyrocket and can at times cause death in as little as 10 minutes! Check the animal for signs of heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, fever, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, and unconsciousness. Get medical help immediately.
- Exercise your dog in the early morning or evening when it's coolest.
- Avoid lawns treated with pesticides and fertilizers, which can make dogs sick if ingested. Many types of summer foliage like hydrangea, wisteria, delphinium, can be toxic to dogs, so prevent your pets from "dining out."
- Ticks and fleas (parasites):is a common problem during summers as they may also transmit several debilitating diseases, such as Lyme disease, dermatitis, babesiosis. Many flea prevention/treatment products such as shampoos, sprays will help control.
Winter care tips:
- Bring your dog into the house if the weather conditions are rainy, snowy or severely cold.
- Indoor, dogs should be provided with a warm, dry area, safe from the cold wind. Provide bedding that is slightly above cold floors to prevent moisture accumulation, and wash bedding weekly if possible. Clean bedding of straw, not cloth blankets (which hold water and can freeze), makes a dog more comfortable and warm.
- All dogs require extra calories in winters to keep warm. Feed your pet according to its needs when the temperature drops.
- Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh, clean water in a clean dish at all times. Check the water bowl frequently to make sure that it hasn't frozen.
- Snow should be removed from the dog’s paws immediately to prevent frostbite. Frostbitten skin is red/grey and may slough. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten areas slowly until the skin appears flushed.
- Many winter plants, like Christmas rose, mistletoe, philodendron, are toxic to pets. Keep them out of your dog’s reach.
- Even lot of winter products such as antifreeze, Styrofoam, Christmas tree preservatives, alcohol if consumed by your dog can make it fall seriously ill. So, take care.
- Never leave your dog alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. Your dog could literally freeze to death.
- If your dog returns from its walk wet and muddy, it should be toweled dry or dried with a hair dryer, but never left wet.
If your pet is still a puppy, then you need to be a bit more alert and careful with it.