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Pet Care
Recommended Routine Veterinary Care for Pets
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Tips for Caring for Your Dog
To keep your dog from sleeping on the bed, train it to use a dog crate. As pack animals, dogs are naturally drawn to the den-like atmosphere of a crate. When trained properly, dogs will automatically return to their crate to sleep or for a "time-out" from household hubbub. They are also highly unlikely to soil their crate, if they can avoid it. Putting a cloth or towel with your scent on it in a puppy's crate can help it settle in for the night or be calm when you are away. To get your scent on the cloth, tuck it against your skin for a while as you are doing other things.
Dogs chew to relieve anxiety. Chewing on your shoes or other items carrying your scent is how they may relieve separation anxiety or attempt to get a sense of being with you. (This is also true of rummaging in the wastebasket or laundry basket.) For chewing, a durable, non-splintering artificial bone is best.
Check your dog's nails monthly. If you hear them clicking on the floor, it may be a sign that it is time to trim them. If left to grow too long, the sensation caused by its nails striking the ground with each step will cause it to chew or lick its feet.
Warm Weather Pet Care
What Pet Owners Need to Know for Warm Weather Care
Just as it is important to provide your dog adequate shelter and warmth during the winter months, it is equally important that your dog has adequate shade and water during the summer. Remember, dogs wear fur coats year 'round. Dogs with heavy undercoats -- such as St. Bernards, Huskies, Newfoundlands, Akitas, and Chows -- may benefit from trimming during warm weather. Ask your vet or groomer if your dog might be comfortable with its coat clipped shorter during summer months. Here are some tips for making your dog comfortable in warm weather:
Shade and shelter: Cool air around the animal is more important than the presence of an actual shelter. A warm doghouse or garage is not as beneficial as heavy, natural shade. On especially hot days, your dog will likely enjoy being indoors in air conditioning, or in front of a fan, as much as you do.
Water: Fresh water should be available to your dog at all times, regardless of the season, but it is especially important during hot weather. The greater the heat and humidity, the more important this becomes. Dogs can become dehydrated and suffer from heat-related illness (heat exhaustion, heat stroke) just like humans.
Heartworm: Mosquitoes spread heartworm. When mosquito season starts in the spring and early summer, so does the risk of heartworm. Heartworm is a parasite and can be fatal if not treated. However, heartworm can be prevented with medication, and most veterinarians recommend starting heartworm medication in April or May; ask your vet for more information.
Bats and rabies: The summer season is also bat season. This means that your dog is more likely to come into contact with a bat during summer than any other time of year - especially if your dog spends a great deal of time outdoors. Bats are known carriers of rabies. It is very important to have your dog vaccinated for rabies, and to be sure your dog's rabies vaccination is kept up to date.
Humidity: Exercising during periods of high heat or humidity can be just as dangerous for your dog as it is for you. During summer months, the hours between noon and 3:00 p.m. are generally the hottest of the day. Waiting until cooler evening hours to walk your dog reduces the risk of dehydration, heatstroke, and irritability (for you and your dog).
Allergies: Dogs can suffer seasonal allergies to molds, pollen, and other irritants, just like humans do. Excess scratching during summer months may actually be a sign of skin allergies rather than fleas. Besides skin allergies, dogs can also suffer from nasal allergies. Your vet can help determine if your dog suffers from seasonal allergies, and help recommend treatment.
Irritability: Remember, a warm dog can be more easily annoyed and is more likely to bite
Hot pavement: Dogs' footpads can be injured by walking on hot sidewalks. Some dogs will actually refuse to go for a walk on the sidewalk when the pavement is hot. Dogs have also been known to suffer burns on their legs from lying on hot patios or other paved surfaces.
Don't leave a dog inside a parked car: The dangers of leaving a dog in a parked car during the summer are well known. Imagine, sitting in a parked car on an 80° day, wearing your winter coat! Even if the temperature outside is low, the sun can heat your car's interior to uncomfortable temperatures very rapidly. If the outside temperature is above 50°, the temperature inside a car can easily rise above 100°, even if the window is open a crack. A dog's average body temperature is 101° and goes up quickly in an enclosed car. Remember, dogs only sweat through their footpads and tongues, so their body heat does not dissipate as quickly as ours.
