How to prepare a dog for the summer season?
Summer season is in full swing! Not only we are happy with him, but also our pets: how many interesting trips they will have. And for all of them to be pleasant, do not forget to properly prepare the dog. Read our article on how to do this.
Good health and good mood of a pet is largely the merit of the owner. We are sure that in the summer you will try to take your dog outdoors as often as possible, and he will be truly happy. But be careful and protect your pet from trouble. Our recommendations will help make traveling with a dog not only pleasant, but also safe.
- Follow the vaccination schedule. Only vaccinated animals can be taken out into the wild. Make sure all your dog’s vaccinations are up to date and the protection period has not expired. Strictly follow the vaccination schedule and be sure to maintain quarantine. The health of the ward is in your hands!
- Treat for parasites. Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are your dog’s main enemies. Parasites are potential pathogens of dangerous diseases and carriers of helminth eggs. Tick and mosquito activity peaks in spring and early summer, while fleas are active all year round. Be careful and treat your dog regularly for parasites. As soon as the period of the previous processing ends, be sure to update it. The period of protection is indicated in the instructions for the selected tool.
Take care of protecting your dog from parasites in advance, and not on the day of the trip! Not all flea and tick treatments are equally effective, and not all start working immediately after treatment. For example, if you already put a tick collar on your dog at the dacha and immediately let it go for a walk around the site, the parasite can still cling. Discuss this with your veterinarian or your pet consultant. Be sure to carefully read the instructions for use and make sure that your pet has no contraindications to the use of the selected protection.
- Get a collar with an address. A collar with an address tag is a must, even if your pet is very calm and does not have a craving for escapes. Situations are different, and it is better to play it safe. Be sure to include your phone number on the address. If the dog is lost, such a collar will be very helpful in the search.
- Pack a bag for your dog. When going to the country, we can pack our backpack for hours and completely forget about the needs of the pet. In the meantime, he also needs his own bag! Be sure to grab food for the dog, two bowls, a bed, a leash, a brush for combing, if necessary, clothes, dry shampoo and, of course, a first aid kit. Rest should be comfortable for everyone.
- Repeat commands. A couple of weeks before going out into nature, repeat the learned commands with the dog, work on obedience. This will come in very handy away from the city.
- Protect your dog from stress. All dogs love to relax in nature, but the trip itself turns into a test for many pets. Unfortunately, the danger of stress is often underestimated, and the consequences are the saddest.
If the dog has never left the city, accustom it to transport in advance. By the time of the trip, she must know the basic commands and the leash at 100!
Why is stress management important? Periodic stress has a negative effect on all animals: it worsens the functioning of the heart and gastrointestinal tract, provokes an exacerbation of chronic diseases, skin problems, and much more. During the trip, strong excitement and stuffiness can provoke hypoxia in the dog, and this is very dangerous. How to help?
Prepare your pet for stressful factors in advance so that his nervous system can easily cope with them. Get a special safe sedative for your dog (one of the most famous is Mexidol-Vet). It will help prevent nervous overload, facilitate adaptation to new conditions and protect vital body systems from oxygen starvation.
Reception of sedatives is prescribed in advance of a potential stressful situation and must be agreed with a veterinarian!
- Prepare the territory in the country. When the dog is ready for the dacha, it remains to prepare the dacha for the dog! Carefully inspect the area and clean it of potentially dangerous items: debris, glass, sharp sticks, rodent protection. Make sure that the dog does not have access to chemicals, household products, plants that are harmful to him. Do your best to keep your pet safe!
The grass in the summer cottage must be cut and treated from ticks and other insects. This will help protect your pet and other family members from parasite bites and the resulting consequences.
Good luck with your joint vacation, warm spring and summer!