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.
Summer obviously presents some challenges related to higher temperatures. People sweat and this helps our body cool down on a hot day, but dogs have few sweat glands, so it is much more difficult to stay cool. When you are outside, be sure to provide plenty of water and a shady spot for your dog. Take your dog to the groomer for a shorter coat during the hotter months of the year. If you both enjoy daily walks, be sure to go at the coolest times of day and don't overdo it. A dog simply cannot cool down as quickly as a human. Be sure to never leave a dog in a hot car as this is the cause of many pet deaths each year. Dogs can quickly overheat, and this can cause heatstroke or death.
While the heat is a challenge, the cold of winter also shouldn't be ignored. While it may be true that many dogs have a fur coat that helps them hold in heat, dogs can be harmed by very cold temperatures, and frostbite can be an issue. Young dogs, sickly dogs and elderly dogs also are more likely to be affected by the cold, so be sure to have a warm and comfortable spot for your dog to enjoy during the wintertime. Make sure your dog drinks enough, as well, as the winter months can be very dry. The holiday season also can be hazardous as dogs might nibble at ribbons or tinsel or the Christmas tree or perhaps the electrical cords needed for your 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.
Allergies can be a problem in the fall, as can pests such as ticks, but there are other issues that typically need to be addressed during this season. Mainly, you simply need to be vigilant around fall holidays such as Halloween and also Thanksgiving. Halloween candy can be quite harmful to pets, and Thanksgiving foods typically are loaded with salt or sugar or both, making them a very unhealthy choice for your dog. We are all tempted to treat our pets as we treat ourselves during the holidays, but perhaps limit treats to a bite of cooked sweet potato or a spoonful of unsweetened canned pumpkin.
Often pets encounter dangers simply because they lack proper training. An untrained dog might run into areas of wilderness in the local park and end up scratched or bitten by ticks. An untrained animal also might nibble on plants and flowers that could harm him or steal food from plates. Obedience training can prevent many dangerous occurrences in the life of your dog. With a dog training DVD system like The Dog's Way, you can quickly teach your dog to obey a variety of important commands immediately. This will ensure that your dog doesn't end up in a potentially life-threatening situation, and it makes life with a dog easier in general.
Summer obviously presents some challenges related to higher temperatures. People sweat and this helps our body cool down on a hot day, but dogs have few sweat glands, so it is much more difficult to stay cool. When you are outside, be sure to provide plenty of water and a shady spot for your dog. Take your dog to the groomer for a shorter coat during the hotter months of the year. If you both enjoy daily walks, be sure to go at the coolest times of day and don't overdo it. A dog simply cannot cool down as quickly as a human. Be sure to never leave a dog in a hot car as this is the cause of many pet deaths each year. Dogs can quickly overheat, and this can cause heatstroke or death.
While the heat is a challenge, the cold of winter also shouldn't be ignored. While it may be true that many dogs have a fur coat that helps them hold in heat, dogs can be harmed by very cold temperatures, and frostbite can be an issue. Young dogs, sickly dogs and elderly dogs also are more likely to be affected by the cold, so be sure to have a warm and comfortable spot for your dog to enjoy during the wintertime. Make sure your dog drinks enough, as well, as the winter months can be very dry. The holiday season also can be hazardous as dogs might nibble at ribbons or tinsel or the Christmas tree or perhaps the electrical cords needed for your 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.
Allergies can be a problem in the fall, as can pests such as ticks, but there are other issues that typically need to be addressed during this season. Mainly, you simply need to be vigilant around fall holidays such as Halloween and also Thanksgiving. Halloween candy can be quite harmful to pets, and Thanksgiving foods typically are loaded with salt or sugar or both, making them a very unhealthy choice for your dog. We are all tempted to treat our pets as we treat ourselves during the holidays, but perhaps limit treats to a bite of cooked sweet potato or a spoonful of unsweetened canned pumpkin.
Often pets encounter dangers simply because they lack proper training. An untrained dog might run into areas of wilderness in the local park and end up scratched or bitten by ticks. An untrained animal also might nibble on plants and flowers that could harm him or steal food from plates. Obedience training can prevent many dangerous occurrences in the life of your dog. With a dog training DVD system like The Dog's Way, you can quickly teach your dog to obey a variety of important commands immediately. This will ensure that your dog doesn't end up in a potentially life-threatening situation, and it makes life with a dog easier in general.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan likes watching dog show. For more information about the best dog training DVDs, or to find dog leash training videos online, please visit the TheDogsWay.com website today.
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