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| Winter Safety Tips If you don't want them in the house, you don't really want them. Not all dogs can be outside in the cold for long periods. If your dog doesn't have an under coat, they are not able to keep warm or protect their skin from the bitter cold.
Your dog will be using 25% of its energy and calories to maintain body warmth when outside. Be sure to feed a QUALITY food that is high in protein.
Remember: The cheaper the food, the more of it you will have to feed and buy.
Cheap foods contain fillers that do nothing for your dog and create more poop for you to scoop. Your dog is receiving less food in each scoop vs healthier foods. Save up for a bag quality food and make the switch, you'll buy less food, feed less and scoop less. CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO SAFELY AND PROPERLY CHANGE YOUR ANIMAL'S FOOD
Winter Dandruff? It's cold outside, it's warm and dry inside, it's cold outside, it's warm and dry inside..., let the dog in, let the dog out, let the dog in, let the dog out... :0} Try a vitamin E gel cap once a week. You can use Salmon oil, but beware, it can cause gas in some dogs.
Summer Safety Concerns for Pets
We all know that Chocolate is dangerous for our animals, so this should be no surprise:
Although the mulch has NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site, it states:
This product is HIGHLY TOXIC to dogs and cats.
Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they agree that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."
'HOT' DOGS
D.R. Colburn, Jacksonville NAS, Fl
Hot weather can make anyone feel uncomfortable, especially your dog. Here are some safety concerns for responsible dog owners:
Never leave your dog unattended in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle. Heatstroke can occur and lead to brain damage or death. Signs of heatstroke are panting, drooling, rapid pulse and fever. Immediately immerse the dog in cool water and seek emergency veterinary assistance.
Although the American Kennel Club (AKC) advises against it, if you absolutely must leave your dog in the car, make sure your car windows are ajar so he can get air, and leave some fresh water for him. Always make sure your dog has access to fresh water.
All dogs should have proper identification at all times. The AKC suggests a collar with an ID tag, a tattoo or microchip. Keep your dog on a leash when he is outdoors to prevent accidents and injury. Try to avoid strenuous exercise with your dog on extremely hot days and refrain from physical activity when the sun’s heat is most intense.
More Summer Safety - Dogs are barefoot! Walking during the heat of the day means walking on very hot sidewalks and streets. As it states above, avoid all strenuous exercise on hot days and when the sun's heat is the most intense. The hottest part of the day in our area is around 4 - 6. If it's too hot for you to walk barefoot on, it's too hot for your dog.
- I won't preach about the dangers of dogs riding in the bed of trucks. DON'T! I could have some firemen I know tell you about the animals involved in car accidents, that's the part the news doesn't tell you. I've seen a dog that fell out while cruising down the freeway. It survived, and probably wished it hadn't.
- If you are going to go ahead and travel with your dog anyway in the bed of the truck, provide something thick to keep their feet and body off of the HOT bed. Provide water back there in that metal oven. Just like motorcycle riders who don't cover up can become heat exhausted, your dog is exposed to the constant wind of a moving vehicle and can quickly become dehydrated... transport in a secured kennel, provide shade, provide water.
- Canals aren't safe for people or dogs. Period.
Beach Tips Taking your dog to the beach can be a great way to spend a beautiful summer day. However, as a responsible dog owner, there are certain precautions you should take:
- If your dog is out of shape, don’t encourage him to run on the sand. Running on a beach is strenuous exercise and a dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament.
DON'T Shave Your Dog! Yep, it's hot and your dog is panting. You're tempted to give it a Summer shave. NO! A dog's fur is designed to protect it from heat and cold. Cutting the top layer is fine, but don't shave the undercoat. It won't grow back the same so will provide less protection. To help Fido cool down, you can shave the belly. They love to feel cool ground on their tummies, and it helps lower their body temperature. Provide plenty of shade and fresh water! If you have a dog run, be sure that there is grond to lie on, not just concrete. Expecting your dog to not pant is like asking a human to not perspire. It is vital for them to do this.
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