5 Sun Safety Tips for Your Dog This Summer

  

By: Laurie Brzostowski

With the warmer weather approaching, it is important to be considerate regarding sun safety when out and about with your four legged friend.  Here are 5 tips for keeping your dog safe from the sun this summer:

1.  Limit sun exposure

Lazy days and naps in the sun are great, but don’t overdo it!  When spending time outdoors, be sure that your dog takes regular breaks away from direct sun exposure.  Most dogs will naturally seek shade when they get too hot, so be sure that shade is readily available.  Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will make your dog at risk for sunburn and heat stroke.

2.  Always bring fresh water on outings

Dogs perspire and lose water by panting.  In the warm weather this can quickly lead to dehydration.  In the heat dogs require more water in order to regulate their body temperature.  Make sure your dog always has access to clean, fresh water and don’t forget to bring water on outings.  Dogs who do not have fresh water provided will often seek out puddles of standing water that contain unwanted bacteria.

3.  Protect your dog’s skin from sunburn

Just like humans, dogs are prone to sunburn and harmful UV rays.  Sunburn can be prevented with a specially formulated veterinary sunscreen.  Look for one with soothing ingredients such as vitamin E and Shea butter.  Do not use a human sunscreen as these often contain zinc oxide which is toxic to dogs.

4.  Nourish the paws

Concrete pavement and natural surfaces can absorb heat from the sun and cause burns when touched.  Humans wear shoes to protect their feet, but dogs do not.  Before walking your dog, check the temperature of the pavement - if it’s too hot for you to hold your hand on, then it’s too hot for your dog.  For dry or cracked paws, ‘Musher’s wax’ or vaseline can be used for rehydration.

5.  Be aware of heat stroke

Heat stroke is a serious concern during the summer months.  Signs of heat stroke include difficulty breathing, heavy panting, fever, glazed eyes, excessive salivation, rapid heartbeat, and vomiting.  If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, move them to a shaded and air-conditioned area, apply ice packs, wet down the fur with cool water, offer water to drink, and seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

Boating With Your Dog? 6 Safety Tips !

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

Summer is finally upon us.  We, here in Northern Illinois, are very excited since we had a very harsh, cold winter and spring.  

I live in Lake County.  This means we have tons of lakes where I live which flow into the Fox River and of course we have the Des Plaines river.

Boating is huge up here in Lake County and a lot of people bring their pets with them.  However, it is important that safety for your pets is the #1 priority.

Here are the top 6 safety tips for boating with your dog !

1. Develop a plan in case your dog goes overboard. Create a game plan before you even bring your dog on a boat. Talk about what everyone would do if your dog goes overboard.
2. Invest in a life jacket. It’s important for your dog to have a life jacket before you take him out onto the water. You may think your dog is a strong swimmer, but depending on the conditions, including weather and currents, he could face problems. Also, if you do need to pull your dog out of the water, life jackets have handles you can grab onto to help him onto the boat.  Make sure you get your dog used to wearing the jacket before you get out on the water.
3. Bring a first-aid kit. Make sure you have a stocked first aid kit on your boat. For a boat-specific kit, bring antibiotic ointment for minor scrapes, and of course making sure you have a good supply of any medications your dog may be on.
4. Visit the boat with your pet prior to your trip. Let your dog get acquainted with your boat before taking him out on the water. If this is his first time on the boat bringing him to visit it while it’s on a trailer or at the dock so he can get used to his surroundings in a safe, secure environment.
5. Check local laws about dogs and boats. Double-check your local laws and regulations regarding having dogs on a boat.  Also, if you plan to enter international waters, look for foreign laws regarding dogs on boats. 
6. Keep your dog’s first outing short. Your dog’s first boat outing brief so he can adjust to the ship’s movement. Your dog may develop seasickness. If seasickness becomes severe, ask your veterinarian about possible medication for future outings.

I hope everyone enjoys their summer boating trips but please make sure you keep everyone on your boat safe and secure !

3 Tips for Road Trips with Your Dog

BY: Laurie Brzostowski 

Planning a road trip with your dog this summer?  Here are 3 tips to help it go smoothly:

1. Planning and logistics

Before leaving, make sure your dog’s vaccines and parasite prevention is up to date.  Find out whether additional vaccinations or parasite treatments are necessary for your destination.  If your dog has previously experienced anxiety or carsickness during travel, speak to your veterinarian about medications available to help keep them comfortable during the drive.  Obtain an updated copy of your dog’s medical records and extra medications so that you have enough for the entire trip.

Identification tags should be updated with a current cell phone number and an emergency contact.  Consider microchipping your dog as a form of permanent identification that can be scanned by professionals at animal shelters or veterinary clinics to trace your contact details in case your dog is lost.

2. Preparing your dog for car travel

Before diving into a longer trip with your dog, it’s a good idea to go on practice runs or ‘mini-trips’ to get them comfortable with being in the car.  If you are planning on using a dog crate, give them an opportunity to get used to this as well.

On the day of travel, feed your dog lightly.  Dogs that consume a large amount of food or water prior to car travel are more likely to experience car sickness.  A full meal should be reserved for when you have reached your destination for the day.  Dogs should also be taken for a short-walk prior to driving to give them a chance to eliminate.

3. During the drive

It can be dangerous to have your dog roam free while you are driving.  Instead, they should be secured in a crate or using a canine car harness that attaches to the seat belt.

Try to drive as smoothly as possible as erratic driving can be dangerous and stressful for your dog.  Talk to your dog in a calm manner and make sure ambient music is not too loud.  If you need to make any stops, your dog should not be left unattended in the car.

During the trip, try to maintain a consistent routine.  Make rest stops at regular intervals and carry water with a collapsible bowl for your dog.  Stay aware of your dog’s general mood and behaviour to make sure they are comfortable and stress free.

3 Tips for Preparing your Dog for Baby’s Arrival

BY: Laurie Brzostowski

A new addition to the family is an exciting event, but sometimes dogs don’t exactly understand what is going on which can cause stress and anxiety.  Here are 3 tips for preparing your dog for baby’s arrival:

1.  Enforce new rules and boundaries

Decide on the new rules and boundaries that your dog will need to adhere to with the baby around.  It is a good idea to get started on a new schedule several weeks before the baby is due.  The new schedule for your dog will likely involve varied feeding times, quiet time in their crate, an unpredictable exercise routine, and a higher enforcement of obedience.

Obedience training should be revisited with an extra focus on commands such as “drop”, “corner” or “bed”, “stay”, and “quiet”.  Your dog should be comfortable responding to verbal cues as your ability to give visual cues or hand signals may be diminished when you are holding your baby.

2.  Introduce them to baby’s household objects

Set up the baby’s room early to give your dog sufficient time to adjust to the new objects.  Introduce your dog to baby equipment gradually with lots of praise and treats as positive reinforcement.  Baby gates should also be installed if you plan to use them and the car seat placed in the car.  Aim to have everything set up so prominent furniture is not a sudden addition once the baby arrives.

Introduce your dog to baby products such as lotion, powder, and diapers.  Let them sniff these products in their own time so they can become familiarised with the new smells.

3.  Allow them to interact with other babies

If your dog has never been around other babies or small children, it is a good idea to introduce them.  Friends with babies should be encouraged to visit so that your dog can see you holding their baby.  Another useful tactic is playing a CD with baby noises for your dog.  It should be played at a quiet level to begin with, which can be gradually increased once your dog becomes comfortable with the noises.

Your dog should also be introduced to the idea that they will receive less attention when there are babies around.  Discourage your dog from attention seeking behaviour so that your dog doesn’t associate less attention with your new baby.  Do not let your dog directly interact with a baby, and never leave them unattended.