We all do it. Just admit it. We have a summer preparation list. Sunny, hot days are almost here and our bodies are nowhere near ready to be exposed at the beach! We need to tan, drop a few pounds, tone up a few muscles and thoroughly shave those legs (OK, us girls need to do that"¦ you guys can pass) all before we can be officially summer-ready. But what about our best furry friends (BFFs)? What do we do to help them get summer ready?
So many dog parents think a simple shorter haircut will do their BFF just fine for the summer strolls and picnics. Truth is there are many things to consider when preparing your BFF for outdoor summer activities. Here's a helpful list of a few things to consider.
Proper grooming and hygiene
Always keep your pet clean and brushed. Even short-coated dogs need grooming. Bathing your dog, though not too often, is a requirement during the summer months! Just as we feel the desperate need for a shower, so do our furry friends"¦ they just can't turn the water on by themselves like we can! (OK"¦ most dogs cannot!) Brushing your dog daily also keeps dirt and foreign particles from collecting on your dog's skin, and prevents matting of the coat in between baths.
Dirt collecting on the skin can cause clogged hair follicles or irritations that lead to infection. Most do not realize it, but allowing your dog's coat to become matted is a form of animal cruelty. Mats are uncomfortable and irritate the skin beneath, causing your dog to scratch and tightening the mat further! Add summer heat and humidity to that matted coat and pure misery awaits your furry friend.
Also remember to keep your dog's ears clean. Wax buildup and dirt buildup lead to ear infections or ear mites, which are as terrible as they sound for your friend to cope with!
Proper nail care
Yes, I know. I have heard it all. "My dog simply will not let me trim his/her nails" or "I am scared I may hurt him/her." Well, the health consequences of not stepping up to the plate can be devastating. Ever see one of those old dogs with nails so long they curve the toe off to the side? That condition is called splay foot, and it can be crippling and painful for your friend. If you are not confident about trimming your dog's nails, please go to your local grooming shop or vet and have it done. Do not wait until it is too late. On average a dog's nails need to be trimmed every several weeks, depending on the activity level of the dog. My dogs rollerblade with me during the summer, so their nails are naturally "filed" by the pavement every day! Sun protection
You protect yourself from sunburn, but what about your dog? Bet you think their furry coat is enough protection? Think again. Several breeds are quite prone to sunburn, such as white-haired, fair-skinned breeds (Dalmatian, Maltese, etc.) but also those with parted coats (Yorkies, Shih-tzus, etc.) where they have direct exposure to the sun in the area of the part. Also, dogs with upright ears can be prone to sunburn as well, such as Westies, Rat Terriers, or Pitties. How about short-legged dogs? You bet! My little Jack Russell's belly received a terrible sunburn out on the boat one day "¦ I was at a loss. But think about this "¦. Their soft tummies are closer to the ground/water and receive direct reflections of sunlight! My poor baby was sore for days due to my negligence.
Never again. Many doggy sunscreens are available these days. Please spend the time and money to protect your best friend from sunburn and the aftereffects a sunburn can have on your dog.
A few other things to keep in mind throughout the summer season: Always keep clean, fresh, cool water in supply when out at the beach, or walking and hiking with your dog. Make sure your dog is up-to-date with his/her Heartworm medication, as well as flea and tick protection. After hikes through the woods or country-style settings, definitely check your dog for burrs or twigs/leaves his-her coat may have picked up along the walk. These can be terribly uncomfortable and and even become matted in the coat.
In closing, just remember your BFF cannot clearly tell you in specific words what he or she needs; figuring that out is our job and our responsibility, and it should be second nature. To know. I try to be a pro-active friend to my furry kids. I like to think ahead and be prepared - to put myself in their paws, if you will. After all, they trust me with their life, and that is a responsibility I do not take lightly. Because I also trust them with mine.
