You probably spend time on the safety of your family. Please do not forget your dogs. This is a crucial element of caring for your dog. Summer is especially difficult and dangerous for your dog. The two main things to pay attention to are the effects of the heat and vacations.
Lets commence with the effect of the hot weather on the dog. Just like us – they will need more water, keep it on hand at all times. If you frequently exercise your dog, make sure they have the ability to have water, every hour or so, or even more regularly if you are of the lively type.
Whilst you would not think or leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is astounding and a shame the number of people who do this to their dogs. This can kill an animal, temperatures in the sun, can swiftly increase to over 100 degrees. Leaving the window slightly ajar, is next to useless.
Just like ourselves, with the same amount of activity, you need less food to maintain your weight during summer. If you, or your animal, keep eating the same, you without doubt will increase your weight. Dog obesity is increasing everywhere. Putting on weight in summer, is likely to slow the dog down in winter and you get a vicious circle, so think of reducing the intake of food, or as a minimum, keep an eye on your dogs weight. Any increase in weight increase dog walking. Holidays are a great time for increasing dog walking.
Danger with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most rapidly go off as its temperature gets near to blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the dog does not consume moist food within thirty minutes, remove it. Dry food is very safe, as long as it does not become wet. So if you have a slobbery animal, little and often should be the principle. Watch out for condensation, or drips from the air conditioner.
Whilst playing with dog in the heat, you may have done it for the last six months without a problem, however, he may suddenly want to bound into some water, with you if you are holding onto the lead. Probably more risky is the leap into a river, if he is not on a lead. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, you can often see people being pulled in! Not helped by them chasing the ducks. In summer there is often more wildlife around for them to chase, so be watchful and controlling.
Summer, is often the time of the long holiday. So if you are having to find a dog sitter, try to find a professional company such as London dog walking, who vet and train their dog sitters. A good dog sitter, will even identify all the dangers as part of their contract. Dog Sitting is often the best option for the dog, they prefer to be in their home area. If not, and you must put them in kennels, check the kennels out. Ideally a personal recommendation, as in everything there can be great and poor. The animal may not like it, but they are safe.
You may be wanting to take your animal on vacation with you. This is the most dangerous option for a dog. Prepare and plan well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the automobile is dangerous for ourselves as well. Think about using a dog restraint, you wear one, for good reason, so ensure your dog has one. The risk of dehydration, so plan for water stops for you and your dog every hour, or a bit longer if you have the clime on. Be particularly vigilant during the stops, there are often cars moving about, and the dog may want to take a run for it (you might as well).
When you arrive you will be in a strange location. So check it out thoroughly for any dangers to your animal. The greatest one is running away, above all in motels, rooms opening out onto a busy highway and cars. Do not forget that digestion of fruit and particularly, raisins and grapes, are dangerous to dogs, so keep them away from the fruit.
Dogs, will struggle to find their way back to your hotel, if lost, we all know of good cases and happy endings when dogs get lost near their normal home. This is not the case in a strange place. Ensure you have solid and visible name / phone tags and keep them on a lead.
We wish you and your dogs have a happy, event free holiday.
Author Resource:
Steve runs a dog sitting business in London with a team of experienced London dog sitters who also do pet sitting. He has looked after dogs for forty years and his websites have plenty of information to help dog and pet owners, London dog walking and for dog care . Steve is happy to help all pet owners with their problems, if he does not have the answer, one of his team of London dog sitters will have!
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