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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 discover dog leash training videos online, please visit the TheDogsWay.com website now.
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