How To Care For Your Dog Across The Different Seasons

Care For Your Dog Across The Different Seasons : Pets are a big part of life in many parts of the world. But thanks to the strong connection between humans and dogs, it’s our canine companions who have the edge, with more than 89.7 million dogs in just the US alone. Dogs are loyal, loving, adaptive and intelligent animals that make wonderful pets. Knowing how to care for your dog throughout the year is important for their health and wellbeing. Each season brings different challenges for dogs and their owners, but with a little preparation, it shouldn’t stop you from having fun with your four-legged friend.

Even if your dog enjoys being outside, dogs cannot sweat and prone to overheating. Therefore, they need access to a cool and comfortable space to sleep in and shelter. Always make sure they have plenty of fresh water available and add some ice cubes to their water bowl to help keep it cool. Choose shady routes for dog walks and pick the cooler part of the day to take your dog out as the ground can get very hot. Between 2018 and 2019, 78 pets suffered heatstroke and died in hot cars. Therefore, always try to leave your dog at home when going out in the car. If you do need to take them with you, use air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature and never leave your dog alone in a hot car.

Fall is a great season for dogs. The less extreme temperatures mean long, active walks and the leaves provide a lot of fun for your pup. But this time of year brings its challenges. Leaf piles can hide a multitude of dangers for your dog. Check and remove any sharp tools such that you may have used to gather up the leaves that have become hidden. Some wild animals use leaf piles as a safe hiding place so check for any small animals such as hedgehogs that may be using the leaf pile as a den. Fleas, ticks and other parasites are also more prevalent during this time, so make sure your dog is up-to-date with their anti-parasitic treatments.

Snow, sleet, ice, and wind can affect all dogs, so ensure your pup has a comfortable, insulated and protected shelter over winter. You should regularly check your dog’s paws for grit, ice and cuts and regularly wipe them to remove any de-icing chemicals they may have stepped in. You should also regularly check for frostbite which can be extremely painful. If you think your dog has frostbite, get them checked out by the vet as soon as possible. Despite the cold weather, you still need to walk your dog, but it’s a good idea to use a waterproof coat so their fur doesn’t absorb the cold rain. You can even get special doggy booties to help keep their paws from getting frozen and sore.

Each season brings new opportunities to enjoy spending time with your canine companion. But at the same time, each season also brings its own unique set of challenges that could pose a risk to your dog’s health and wellbeing. Make sure you are prepared for each season so whatever the weather is like, it doesn’t have to spoil quality time with your pup.