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Is Your Garden Pet Ready For The Summer?

  • 10/07/2015

Summer is a great time for pets as well as humans, with most cats and dogs loving long walks and playing in the sun. There are steps we need to take to ensure our pets are ready for the summer. By following certain instructions we can help our pets remain safe and healthy during the warmest months of the year.

Protection from sunburn

One of the main things you need to think about when getting your pet ready for the summer is sunburn. Contrary to what some people think, sunburn doesn’t just affect humans. The pets most likely to be affected by sunburn include hairless, short-haired, light-coloured dogs and dogs with white fur. The risks of allowing your pet to become burnt include skin cancer. If your pet’s skin does look red or raw you can use natural remedies such as aloe vera – if symptoms persist, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your vet.

Lungworm infections

Lungworm is another thing pet owners need to consider in the summer. The parasite is carried by snails and slugs and can be transmitted to your dog if these are ingested. If you suspect your pet has swallowed a slug or snail and might be infected by lungworm, get in touch with your vet at the earliest opportunity. To reduce the risk of your pet being infected by lungworm, you can check your garden for slugs and snails regularly and remove them if found. If a lungworm infection is not treated, your dog could die. A great way of reducing the risk is by installing artificial grass in you garden as this will help reduce the number of slugs and snails in your garden. There are plenty of artificial grass companies like Forever Green Lawns who have pet friendly artificial grass.

Be careful with plants

Toxic plants can also pose a big risk to your pet, especially if they digest them. Even apples and blue bell can be dangerous. Why not look online for a list of toxic plants and see which ones you have in your garden? If you do have toxic plants, you may wish to remove them or make it harder for your pet to reach them.

Keep them hydrated

It’s important that your dog remains hydrated. Hydration is as important for dogs as it is for humans. Dogs can become dehydrated very quickly on a hot day especially if they are being taken on long walks or out in the sun playing. You should ensure your dog always has water available – if you are at home, keep topping their bowl up and if you are taking them out for a long walk take enough water with you as well as a dish for them to drink from.

Grooming and excercise

It may also be wise to consider grooming your dog for the summer. Long hair can make your dog uncomfortable in the summer, and can become tangled with dirt and twigs. Trimming claws is also wise as this prevents from being snagged during playtime. If you’re taking your pet to new areas, you should keep them on a leash until you’re confident you won’t end up losing them. Some older dogs can overdo it after they have been stuck at home for a long time, so if your dog gets the most exercise at the weekend, make sure they also get some during the week. Midweek training sessions should help your pet avoid having to face tough aches and pains after a weekend of play.

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