DELHI, TAKE CARE OF STRAYS THIS MONSOON
Rains can be harsh on the doggos who roam the city streets. If you have a stray in your area, here’s how you can be a considerate hooman to them
DOGS OFTEN FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DURING THUNDER. IN SUCH CASES, CALM THE DOG WITH TREATS, OR INVEST IN A THUNDERSHIRT
Your pet dog might be safe from the rain, but imagine the strays who have to hide every time it pours in the city. Sad, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. There are several ways you can ensure that your furry friend on the streets doesn’t have to face the monsoon alone. Follow these simple steps, and we can guarantee you’d be making a doggo happy somewhere.
BUILD A ROBUST WATERPROOF SHELTER
One can build a makeshift shelter with a plastic on top and some mattresses for strays in normal months. But, when it pours, chances of everything getting soiled are high. To keep the strays around your house rain-safe, build a shed with an extended roof in a relatively dry space in your vicinity. You can pad the walls of the shed with ply boards or cover with plastic sheets. “The shelters need not be too big, they can be small, strong and snug for the dogs and should definitely have plastic shades to protect the dogs from rain,” says Vandana Anchalia of KAW - Kannan Animal Welfare.
FRESH AND HEALTHY MEALS EVERY DAY
Choose to feed fresh meals to the dogs every day instead of keeping a bowl that would get soiled when it rains. One can choose to leave quick bites for the dogs in a dry location that the stray recognises and build a habit of feeding them there itself. Make sure whatever you fill the bowl with is not easily perishable as you wouldn’t want the strays to suffer from stomach issues. A fibrous diet is best during monsoon. “Adding simple ingredients like pumpkin pulp, beans, sweet potatoes and oats to the dog’s meal will help their bowel movements and ensure they are healthy and well-fed. Dry dog food is good too, but fibrous veggies always work better,” says Shweta Rohilla, a member of DoggoDuty, a collective that takes care of stray dogs.
HEALTH CHECK AND VACCINATIONS
While most strays have great immunity, they still require special attention in monsoon, as they are more susceptible to infections in this season. You can take your stray to the vet and get necessary preventive vaccinations for them and keep a regular tab on their health. Make sure that the water you give them isn’t left around for long, since most diseases are water borne; try giving them filtered water. If you spot ticks on the dog, consult a vet in the area. Don’t try to deal with it on your own; dogs can be irritable when in discomfort.
DRY DOGGO, HAPPY DOGGO
Strays might often get drenched in rain, so keep a lookout and dry them as soon as you can. Wet fur can lead to bacterial and fungal infections. Also check their ears and paws for any mud or water and ensure that they are clean, too.
If the stray you look after needs a bath, choose to use dry shampoos as they protect against ticks and infections, and are a fuss-free way of keeping the doggo clean. You can also choose to take the strays for weekly baths at the vet, as they know best what would suit their skin better. Prevention is always better than cure, ensure this by having a regular grooming routine. This includes clipping of the nails, ear cleansing and regular dental check-ups.