5 ways to PROTECT YOUR PUP
SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR POOCH SAFE AND WELL AVOID EXERCISING ON HOT DAYS BE AWARE OF TOXIC FOODS NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A PARKED CAR
They’re the furry sidekick you take with you everywhere, but sometimes it can be easy to forget your four-legged friend needs extra TLC in some situations. Budget Direct’s Dr Ben Schuster has revealed a few key things to remember when it comes to your daily doggy routine.
PROVIDE PLENTY OF FRESH WATER
Whether you’re at the beach or sitting in your backyard, you should always have plenty of fresh, cold water for your dog. If you’re heading out, it’s important to make sure you have enough water to last the whole trip. A cool tip? Before you go on a walk, you can fill and then freeze a dog bowl or ice cream container with a quarter of water. Once the bowl is frozen, you can fill the rest up with water. This will make the water on the top nice and cool, while the ice slowly melts at the bottom.
AVOID THE MIDDAY HEAT
Your best option at this time of day is to stay indoors. It may depend on where you live, but temperatures will typically be cooler in the early morning or late afternoon. This is why early morning
or evening playtimes, walks and time spent outside will help you to avoid the midday heat, while still giving your dog enough exercise throughout the day.
Make sure to assess the heat and humidity each day before taking your dog out for an activity. If it’s hot – 30 degrees with high humidity – then it’s best that you avoid any form of exercise with your dog on this type of day. Even on a cooler day, you should also remember to check the temperature of the pavement before walking your dog. Asphalt can specifically get extremely hot in direct sun! While a walk on a hot day may not seem like much, it can put your dog at a greater risk of heatstroke. Overweight dogs and dogs with certain medical conditions are also at a larger risk.
When it comes to our dogs, we all love to give them the occasional treat. Treating your pet to some human food, while fine in moderation, should be avoided when it comes to certain foods. These include avocado, mushroom, grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions and garlic.
Even on cooler days, the temperature inside a car can rise dangerously high! If you’re looking to take your dog on a road trip or start travelling with pets in the car this summer, here are some handy tips:
● Keep the air conditioning on when driving with your dog and/or when you are in a parked car with your dog.
● Don’t park in direct sunlight with your dog in the car.
● Keep an eye on your dog if they start to show signs of heatstroke, like panting, salivating, discomfort or disorientation.