Keep dogs stress free this summer

Summer is finally here and the UK is awash with barbecues, long light evenings and plenty of outdoor adventures for the whole family, dogs and all.

There may be lots of walkies and adventures ahead and here is a guide to make sure you look after your dog’s wellbeing during these sunny months. Doggie hayfever Believe it or not this is in fact a real thing, and can be something that a lot of dog owners are unaware of. Your dog may not be sneezing, as humans would, but there are a number of other signs you can look out for. These include dogs scratching or nibbling at their body, licking or biting their paws or rubbing their face on furniture. If you do spot any of these signs in your furry friend, try boosting their skins defences by adding an Omega 3&6 supplement to their diet. Summer skin care As with humans, it is important to look after your dog’s skin in the summer particularly when temperatures start to rise. Sunburn is a key thing to look out for especially in pale coloured dogs and dogs with very short coats.

Try to keep them in the shade where possible or use a dog-safe SPF. Hotspots on your dog’s skin may also be a problem; the humid weather can cause these hotspots to flare up. Keep an eye out and make sure you have some antibacterial skin cream on hand.

Finally, remember if it is too hot to walk barefoot on the pavement then it is too hot for your dog’s paws, so maybe wait a few hours until it is cooler for that promised walkies. Be BBQ savvy Everyone loves a summer barbecue but lots of meat, heat and dogs don’t always happily mix.

It’s important to set some ground rules with your guests to ensure they are strict with the treats and don’t feed your pooch, which we know can be hard when they look at you with those sad eyes.

By remembering these few summer essentials you can ensure that both you and your four-legged friends will enjoy the long-awaited summer months as much as possible.