5 Exercise Benefits for Dogs

At Merry Pets, we love taking dogs on hikes. It’s great to be outdoors with your pets, where their personalities shine. Not only do group hikes in small groups allow dogs to have adventures exploring, they also give dogs socialization practice and great exercise. According to the ASPCA, regular exercise gives your dog tons of benefits, including

Benefit #1: Helps them maintain a healthy weight.

Benefit #2: Keeps their bodies strong, limber and agile.

Benefit #3: Tires them out to prevent restlessness (which can lead to behavior issues).

Benefit #4: Reduces common behavior issues restless dogs experience, like chewing, hyperactivity, excessive barking, digging and more.

Benefit #5: Keeps digestive issues at bay.

Book your dog’s group hike today to give your dog exercise and keep him/her healthy.

Water for Your Pet’s Health

During the summer heat, there’s nothing more refreshing than cool water. Whether we’re playing in it or drinking it, water is a key tool to beating the heat, for humans and animals alike.

Drinking water to stay hydrated not only helps your pet keep cool, it also helps his overall health. Like us humans, most animals’ bodies are made up of mostly water, so drinking water allows the systems in their bodies to run better. Dogs drink about an ounce of water per pound of their body weight, unless they exercise and need more. At Merry Pets, we’re committed to keeping your pets hydrated and healthy, so we

*make sure your pets have plenty of fresh, clean water in clean bowls daily when we pet/house sit.
*bring water along on dog walks and hikes to ensure your dog’s getting plenty of refreshing, clean drinking water.

*take your dogs on hikes in places with higher elevations, shady trails or running water to keep them cooler overall.
*carry water in cars while transporting your pets to and from their destinations for pet taxi and hikes.

Keep your dog cool and healthy this summer with plenty of hydration for optimal health.

Pet Care in Emergencies

Preparing ahead for emergencies for all the members of your family—both human and animal—will give you peace of mind. Check out these tools to get started preparing today.

Be aware of after-hours veterinary clinics. Sometimes illnesses and emergencies happen outside of business hours, so keep a list of after-hours emergency clinics on hand, like this one from Pets in the City Magazine.

Place a rescue alert sticker on your home. These stickers, recommended by the ASPCA, alert first responders that there are pets in your home. That way, they won’t be overlooked in an emergency.

Put together rescue kits. Keeping a few days’ supplies on hand will ensure you have what your pet needs for the time following an emergency. You’ll find free lists for pet 72-hour kits on the Pets in the City Magazine website.

Help Pets Beat the Heat

Labor Day may be the unofficial end of summer, but there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy. And while summer is a time of fun in the sun, its heat can really be tough on pets, especially dogs, who are outside more than most pets. Follow these tips to help your dogs beat the summer heat to stay healthy and cool.

Provide shelter. Make sure your dog has a doghouse, patio or other shaded space to get out of the sun and stay cool during the hot summer days.

Make sure your dog has shelter to keep cool. Photo courtesy of DIY Network.

Leave your dog at home on hot days. It’s fun to bring your pets on errands with you when the weather is nice. But most stores and restaurants don’t allow pets, and leaving your dog in a car on hot days can be not only dangerous, but fatal. Leave your dog at home on hot days to stay cool and healthy.

Avoid strenuous exercise and hot surfaces. In the scorching heat of the afternoon sun, taking long hikes or even walks on hot surfaces can be painful and even dangerous to dogs. That’s why Merry Pets takes dog hikes in higher altitudes on trails with lots of shade and water to keep your pets cool and safe. And why we walk dogs on grass rather than hot concrete.

Provide lots of water. The best way to keep your dog cool in the summer heat is to provide lots of clean, fresh water to drink and play in. Get more tips on the benefits of water in this blog post.

Keeping your pups cool in the summer heat will help them stay healthy to enjoy the dog days of summer.

Three Tips to Recover a Lost Pet

It’s always scary when a pet runs away. We at Merry Pets have joined in the search for clients’ lost furry friends in the past and know how stressful it can be. There are lots of things you can do to help get your pet back quickly, and time is of the essence, so the things you do in the first hour that you discover your pet is lost are critical. Follow these tips from Utah Lost & Found Pets to help you be prepared.

In the first 15 minutes, look for your pet within a one-mile radius of wherever he/she was lost. Grab friends and neighbors to help you go door to door, letting neighbors know your pet is missing. Bring a photo of your pet along if possible, and be sure to hand out your contact info to everyone you talk to so they can easily get a hold of you if they spot your pet (business cards work well for this).

In the next 10-15 minutes, call the animal control office nearest you and let them know as many details about your pet as possible, including a physical description and any medical, tag or micro chip info. That way, they can quickly match any new pets brought in to the info you’ve provided.

In the next 30 minutes, make and distribute flyers to post around your neighborhood and online. Make sure the flyer has one nice photo that takes up half the flyer space, your pet’s name and the info you gave the animal control office; the date and time your pet was lost; the cross streets, city, state and zip code where your pet was lost; and your contact info.

Distribute the flyers around your neighborhood and online on the Utah Lost and Found Pets Facebook page, KSL Classifieds and more.

Putting these tips into action can help you find your lost pet quickly. Read more tips on the Utah Lost & Found Pets Facebook page.

Easy Tips for Brushing Pets

Brushing your pet’s fur is great for her hygiene, skin and overall wellbeing. While Merry Pets offers brushing and other pet spa services for the times you’re away or unable to, when you are home, brushing your pet can also be a very relaxing activity and a wonderful bonding activity. Follow these quick tips to brush your pet with ease.

Get your pet ready.  If your pet hasn’t been brushed before, a little prep work can take the activity from something she fears to something she looks forward to. Some specialists recommend you try stroking your pet with a clean oven glove or the back of a brush several times before using the bristle side of a brush, just to get her used to being pet with something other than a hand. Then slowly introduce brushing with bristles after you feel she’s ready.

Get the right brush. The right brush can make this grooming activity more of a massage while the wrong one can feel pretty painful. As a good rule of thumb, bristle brushes will work for most pets’ coats. According to Drs Foster and Smith, the longer your pet’s hair is, the more widely spaced the brush bristles should be, and the more coarse your pet’s hair is, the stiffer the bristles should be. Wire pin brushes with rubber tips make good choices for curly or wooly coats and slicker brushes work well for mats and tangles.

Get the right attitude. Brushing your pet can be a relaxing activity for you both, but it starts with you taking a relaxing approach with a positive attitude. If you lack confidence on how to brush your pet, your approach can be fearful, which she’ll sense. (Try watching videos on YouTube or reading tips on your favorite pet specialist’s site to build your confidence first.) Approach your pet with a relaxed, positive attitude and she’ll sense that too.

Following these tips can make brushing a positive experience that improves your pet’s health and wellbeing.

Care Tips for Senior Pets

Senior pets make excellent companions and deserve special care. Photo by Bark Magazine.

At Merry Pets, we know that senior pets often need extra TLC and care than their spry young counterparts. That’s why we tailor our pet sitting, walks and other services to fit their needs. To meet your senior pet’s needs, follow these helpful tips.

Provide regular exercise. Just because your pet is older doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need to keep active. Providing play and exercise time to keep your pet active–even at a slower pace to match his needs–will keep his joints healthy and help him maintain a healthy weight.

Get regular vet checks. Checking your pet’s dental and physical health yearly can help you stay informed about developing health issues, enabling you to head them off at the pass. Senior pets often have different health challenges as their bodies get older, so regular vet checks are an important part of their care.

Accommodate their needs. Whether it’s special pet food for a temperamental stomach, softer bedding for sore joints or something else, sometimes older pets require special accommodations to meet their aging needs. Plan to provide for them to keep them healthy and happy.

For more tips to keep senior pets healthy, visit Pet MD.

Pet Care Tips for Fall

As Autumn arrives with its cooler weather and color-changing leaves, it’s time to trade your summer shorts in for sweaters and start decorating your home with gourds and wreaths. But as you’re preparing for Fall at your home and in your wardrobe, try these tips to prepare for your pet’s safety and health, too.

Stay active. With the weather cooling down, it’s a fantastic time to take your pet outside to get some additional Vitamin D from the sun without burning up in the heat. Take care of your pet this Fall by getting outside together in the Autumn weather for walks, hikes, games of fetch and more. If you’re short on time, call Merry Pets to schedule some extra hikes or walks for your pet, to help keep him healthy and active. Don’t forget to crunch some leaves while you’re out and about, just for fun!

Take advantage of the cooling weather to play outside with your pet. Image from imgarcade.com

Watch out for poisons. Caring for pets in Autumn means watching out for things that can be poisonous to them. While you’re outside on Fall adventures, take care that your pet avoids eating mushrooms, which grow abundantly and can be fatal if ingested. And indoors, be careful to place Halloween candy, especially chocolate, as well as any rodenticides, out of your pet’s reach to keep him safe and healthy.

Have patience. Just as the trees shed their leaves in the Fall, pets shed their fur, feathers and skin in preparation to bulk up a bit for winter. So taking care of your pet during Autumn will involve a little extra patience and cleaning. Molting birds and shedding snakes may be a bit cranky and not as open to handling, so give them a little space to shed and try not to take their crankiness personally. According to Kim Lange of Kim’s Cold Blooded Creatures, providing plenty of humidity for insects and reptiles helps them shed their skin. And placing a hard surface (such as a rock or piece of wood) in a snake’s habitat helps them shed their skins a little easier. And don’t forget to keep a lint roller, broom and vacuum nearby to pick up extra fur and feathers.

Be prepared to be patient and clean a bit more as pets shed their summer coats, skins and feathers for Fall.

Cold Weather Protection Tips

As the weather grows colder, Jack Frost doesn’t just nip at your nose–he also makes it difficult for your pets. Taking a few precautions will protect your pets from ol’ Jack Frost, keeping them safe and healthy during the cold winter months.

Keep them warm. Keeping your pet warm during the winter will go a long way towards keeping him happy and healthy. Try:

• keeping your cat or dog’s furry coats full in the winter to provide extra heat, rather than grooming them more closely,

• putting a sweater or jacket on your cat or dog for extra warmth,

• providing outdoor shelter for your kitty or pup, or keeping them inside more,

• covering some of the screened areas of your reptile’s enclosure to keep the humidity and heat in during this cold, dry time of year,

• keeping rodent and bird cages away from drafty windows or doors, or

• providing thicker bedding for dogs and cats and adding more bedding materials to rodents’ cages.

Keeping your pets warm is important to us at Merry Pets. If dogs get cold on walks or hikes, we bundle them up!

Pet proof your house. Prevent potential burns for pets around the heating devices of your home. Place guards around fireplaces or radiators, and put space heaters in a place where pets won’t accidentally bump into them.

Stay home. Just like leaving your companion animal in a car during the hot summer months is dangerous, leaving him in a cold car is as well. Cars can get as cold as refrigerators, so keep your pets home in the controlled temperature warmth of your home for their safety.

Wipe their paws. After dogs come in from a walk or hike, or when outdoor cats come in, wipe down their paws to keep them dry and prevent them from salt damage. Or, do what we do at Merry Petsand coat your dog’s paws with Musher’s Secret prior to a walk. A thin coat of this breathable wax keeps the paw pads free from ice/salt abrasion as well as deterring snow balls from forming on the hair of your dog’s feet.

Keeping these few tips in mind will keep your companion pets warm, safe and healthy during the cold winter months.

3 Tips for Good Pet Dental Health

Preventing tooth and gum disease in your pet is just as important to his health as preventing respiratory diseases or parvovirus. And with February being National Pet Dental Health Month, it’s a great time to check in on your pet’s dental health by following these simple tips.

February is National Pet Dental Month, so follow these tips to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

Tip #1: Do a breath check. It’s ok if your dog or cat’s breath doesn’t smell minty fresh all the time, but chronic bad breath can sometimes be a sign of gum or periodontal disease. Check your pet’s breath regularly to know how it usually smells. And, according to the ASPCA, if it’s changed or become worse, it’s a good idea to schedule a vet visit, especially if you also notice your pet losing his appetite, drinking or urinating excessively or vomiting.

Tip #2: Provide treats for dental health. Treats and toys aren’t just great for reinforcing desired behavior in your pet–they can also be great for dental health. Chew toys and treats, particularly, help reduce tartar and bacteria build up on your pet’s teeth. They also keep teeth strong. So the next time you’re at the pet store, stock up on chew toys and treats to keep your pet’s teeth healthy and strong.

Chew toys help promote pet dental health by strengthening teeth and reducing tartar. Photo by Nyla Bone.

Tip #3: Clean his teeth. One of the best things for your pet’s dental health is regular teeth brushing. You can do it yourself at home with pet-formulated toothpaste or just baking soda and water. Use a smaller, pet-safe toothbrush, too. For tips to safely and effectively brush your dog or cat’s teeth regularly, talk to your vet or watch this short veterinarian video.

Doing regular cleanings, giving him chew toys and treats, and checking your pet’s breath are three ways to ensure good dental health for your pet. For even more tips, visit this article.

Poison Prevention for Pets

Pets can be as mischievous as little children, getting into things when you least expect it. Keeping your pets safe from poisons definitely means keeping household chemicals, medications and the like out of their reach, but it also means knowing which non-chemical items may be poisonous to them. In honor of Poison Prevention Awareness Month for Pets, here are some common items that may be toxic to your pets. Some may surprise you!

Avocados, Garlic and Onion. These make fabulous guacamole, but all three are toxic to birds, dogs and cats.

#2 Pencils. These back-to-school staples are harmless on their own, but if your dog or cat chews them up, the effects can be hazardous.

Keep pencils stowed safely away so pets don’t chew on them and harm themselves.

Tulip Bulbs, Oleander and Chrysanthemums. As you get ready to plant your garden, avoid these three and a handful of other plants that may harm your pets. See more toxic plants on this list from the ASPCA.

Mothballs. These helpful balls may keep linens and clothing free from pests, but keep them well hidden from pets, as they can be toxic. If you don’t use mothballs, read the labels of air fresheners, potpourri mixes and other items you’re considering using to ensure they are safe if pets accidentally consume them.

A Variety of Human Foods. Some food and drink that are ok for humans to consumer are poisonous to pets, so don’t share chocolate, caffeine, coffee, alcohol or yeast dough. Also, be sure to not serve your dog cooked bones, as they splinter and can be extremely harmful to their digestive systems.

These are just a handful of items to avoid. For a complete list of possible poisons, consult this list from the ASPCA. And if you’re concerned your pet has ingested something that may be poisonous, call one of the 24-hour veterinary clinics around the Salt Lake Valley:

Advanced Veterinary Care  801-942-3951

Cottonwood Animal Hospital   801-278-0505

Utah Veterinary Center 801-871-0600

Be prepared ahead of time by printing this free list of 24-hour veterinary hospitals around the Wasatch Front from Pets in the City Magazine.

Watch for Signs: Bloat

In April 2015, Merry Pets sadly lost one of our beloved Merry pack mates, Charlie, to bloat. This condition, also known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GVD), came on quickly and took Charlie, a healthy dog who loved hiking and playing with his brother, Rocco, within hours. We miss Charlie, and we want to keep our other pack mates safe from suffering from bloat (which the ASPCA says kills 25% to 40% of dogs), so we’re sharing the signs to watch for in order to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes bloat, but according to WebMD, it can happen just after your dog eats a large meal, drinks a lot of water after eating or performs brisk exercise before or after eating. Any dog can develop bloat, but middle-age and older dogs, as well as large breed dogs with deep chests are more prone to develop this condition.

Bloat can progress rapidly, so watch for the following signs and bring your dog to the vet immediately if he shows:

• Bloated stomach or abdomen

• Cool body temperature

• Fast heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• Salivating excessively

• Pale gums

• Weakness or collapsing

• Vomiting or belching without production

Print out this list of 24-hour veterinary clinics around the Wasatch Front in case of emergency. Getting your dog to the vet at the first sign of bloat is the best way to keep him or her healthy.

Charlie, a Merry pack mate, passed away from bloat in April 2014. Know the signs of bloat to keep your dog from developing this often fatal condition.

Tips to Keep Pets Safe During Fireworks

July in Utah brings not one, but two amazing holidays where we commemorate the birth of our nation and the founding of our state. Between Independence Day and Pioneer Day, the surge of patriotic pride is everywhere, and we celebrate with concerts, picnics, parades–and fireworks. While these colorful explosions are as American to us as apple pie, to pets the loud, unpredictable noises can be unnerving and unsettling. They can also make them run in fear; in fact, more pets run away during fireworks season than any other time of the year. But there’s more you can do to help your pets than just reinforcing your fences and gate latches. Read on for 4 tips to keep your pets calm and safe during fireworks time.

1. Prepare them ahead of time. Dog whisperer Cesar Milan suggests slowly acclimating your pet to the sound of fireworks so he’s used to them. That way, when the real things go off, your pet isn’t startled by the sound and stays calm. He suggests playing a recording of fireworks at increasingly louder volumes before regular activities like play and walk time to integrate them naturally. For more info, visit his website.

Fireworks are beautiful, but their loud noises scare pets and make them more likely to run away in fear. Photo by Mamas-Spot.com.

 2. Keep them at a safe distance. If you live near a stadium, park or other venue that will be hosting fireworks, or if you live in a neighborhood that particularly loves to shoot fireworks off, take your pet away from that area for the time being to minimize exposure to the noise. Have him stay at a friend’s home or at a day care or boarding facility he’s familiar with so he’s in a calm atmosphere away from the noises and stays safe.

3. Keep them company. We’re usually planning barbeques, picnics and other get togethers for Independence Day or Pioneer Day. And while it’s fun to be social, staying with your pets once the fireworks begin is one of the best ways to keep them calm and safe. Stay indoors or make sure they have harnesses on if you’re outside. If it helps your pet feel safer, put him in his crate. Keeping your pet company will increase his sense of safety.

4. Help them holistically. If all else fails, there are many ways to provide extra calm for your pet around the time for fireworks. Wearing compression sweaters helps to ease the nervous system, and holistic drops added to your pet’s water or favorite treat can help calm him naturally.

Compression jackets can help ease your pet’s nervous system to keep him calm during the commotion and loud noises of fireworks. Photo of Thundershirt.

4 Tips for Optimal Pet Nutrition

A healthy pet is a happy pet! And experts recommend many things for keeping pets physically healthy, including making sure they have vaccinations and regular checkups and get good exercise and nutrition. Read on for four tips for optimal pet nutrition to to keep your pet healthy and happy.

1. Provide clean water. Like humans, pets need clean water to drink to keep the systems in their bodies working well. While pets can get water/moisture from some of their food (such as wet food for dogs and cats and fruits and veggies for lizards, rodents and birds), providing clean drinking water each day will help them stay hydrated and healthy.

Providing clean drinking water in clean dishes helps pets stay healthy and hydrated. Photo from Discover Magazine.

2. Give your pet a balanced diet. Pets get most of their nutrition from their food and treats, so choose a quality food that provides a balance of the nutrients they need. Reptiles, rabbits and birds need fresh fruits and veggies daily, but aside from that, table food is rarely good for pets, and many can be toxic. Do your research to avoid giving your pets food that can be toxic to them, and consult with your vet to find the right balanced diet for them.

3. Supply essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals help your pet’s metabolic functions. Most vitamins will be provided by a balanced diet, unless your vet diagnoses a vitamin deficiency that requires supplements to balance. It may be important to provide minerals to some pets, such as salt licks to rabbits and horses, and cuttlebones to birds.

Salt licks help horses and rabbits absorb essential minerals for their health. Photo by PBS.

4. Include essential fats. Fats give pets energy and provide protection for internal organs, and maintaining a healthy level can help keep skin problems at bay. Many pet foods include essential fats, but adding some in the form of coconut or palm oil may be important to maintain healthy levels.

Follow these steps and consult with your veterinarian to for optimal pet nutrition for your pet’s health and happiness.

3 Tips for Flea & Tick Prevention

You see your pup or cat scratching and think, “Uh oh. Fleas?” And you may be right. Fleas and ticks can be a health problem for a variety of pets year-round, but they tend to thrive in warmer weather. Aside from the skin irritation they bring you and your pets, these pesky insects also bring other diseases along with them, such as tapeworms and Lyme Disease. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, read on for several ounces of tips to keep you and your pets healthy and pest-free.

Fleas and ticks come in from the outside but they live inside, too. Photo by Wired.

Tip #1: Make your home hard for pests to live in. Fleas and ticks are resourceful and hardy, and they love to live in and outside of your home. One of the best ways to keep them off you and your pets is to disrupt their environments, both inside and outside.

To prevent fleas & ticks outside your home:

• Regularly clean your pet’s outdoor habitat, home and bedding.

• Keep yard weeds and plants from getting overgrown.

• Rake or sweep up piles of debris, weeds and yard clippings where fleas and ticks love to live and breed.

• Don’t feed wild or feral animals, who carry and transmit ticks and fleas.

• Clean shady and cool areas where these pests hide, such as patio corners, garages, under decks and porches, etc.

• Clean out and treat your car with pest prevention products if your pets or yard equipment spend time in them.

To prevent fleas & ticks inside your home:

• Regularly clean your pet’s indoor habitat, carrier and bedding.

• Vacuum thoroughly and regularly, especially entry/high traffic areas and where your pet sleeps. Studies show that vacuuming alone can remove up for 50% of flea eggs. Be sure to move full vacuum bags quickly outside.

• Clean shady and cool areas where these pests hide, such as basements, cellars, baseboards, under furniture and inside drapery folds, etc.

• Use foggers or carpet powders to treat your home for fleas, ticks and eggs your regular cleaning may have missed.

Tip #2: Use prevention products for pets. Keeping your home environment clean will help fleas and ticks be in limited supply, but using products specially designed for this purpose will keep them away even more effectively. There’s a variety of great sprays, pills, topical products and even anti-flea collars that will be very useful in keeping these pests off your pets. Consult with your veterinarian to find the best product for your pet.

Tip #3: Prevent pests with regular grooming. Keeping all your family members–both human and fur–clean and well groomed will help nip fleas and ticks in the bud and prevent them from spreading. After being outside, especially camping or hiking, check everyone for ticks, which can hide easily and then burrow into the skin. Use a flea comb regularly on your dog, cat, rabbit or other pets to weed out both adults and eggs. And make sure to regularly bathe your pets using anti-flea shampoo to keep their coats free from these bugs.

Keep these tips in mind to keep you and your pets free from the irritation and disease of fleas and ticks.

Prepare a Pet First Aid Kit

Just like humans, pets sometimes get scrapes and other injuries that need quick attention. Preparing and stocking a pet first aid kit will help you be ready for quick action when trouble strikes. We at Merry Pets take pet first aid education at the American Red Cross and carry first aid kits with us to be ready in case of injury. You can easily purchase a pet first aid kit online, but if you’re interested in doing it yourself, grab a small container and stock it with the following basics:

• A list of important phone numbers, such as your vet, 24-hour emergency vets and poison control.

• Quick-reference guide to pet first aid for reference

• Gauze pads and rolls

• Adhesive tape

• Cornstarch (to mix with water to stop bleeding)

• Pet-safe antiseptic wipes

• Saline solution

• Ice pack

• Tweezers

• Clean rag

• Rectal thermometer and petroleum jelly

Purchase or put together a pet first aid kit to be prepared in case of injury.

To build a more involved check out the comprehensive list of supplies from the Humane Society online. Whether your pet first aid kit is simple or complex, having one on hand will save you time, help reduce stress and can even be a lifesaver.

3 Winter Safety Tips for Walking Dogs

Colder temps may make us humans want to stay inside all bundled up, but they don’t always slow down our companion animals, many of whom like to walk, hike and explore outside–with or without their pet parents. If you’re planning to take your pup for a walk, let him play outside and more, follow these tips to keep him healthy and safe in cold winter months.

Tip #1: Scout out your route. Before you head out on a hike or walk, check out your route to be aware of possible winter hazards. Be aware of puddles, heavily salted as well as unplowed or unshoveled parts of the path to avoid, keeping you both from getting wet and overly cold. And watch for chemicals on the road, such as antifreeze, that can be poisonous if ingested by your pooch.

Tip #2: Accessorize for warmth. Our dogs’ coats do protect them from cold temps when we’re walking outside, but only to a degree. If their fur coats get wet, they can speed up the colder temps, too. Consider putting a sweater or coat on your pooch prior to him going outside to further insulate him from cold and keep him warm and healthy.

Tip #3: Protect their paws. Dogs’ paws can need extra protection in cold weather, especially if they will come into contact with the snow and salt on the roads. Booties for pups help protect their feet from damage that the cold can bring. But since not all dogs are used to wearing protective footwear, first try your pup out with a pair of baby socks on his feet as a test run before investing in booties.

Taking a few extra precautions will help you and your dog get the benefit of outdoor exercise as well as stay safe walking in the cold winter months.

This article was contributed by The Advocates Personal Injury Lawyers

Tips for Dog Water Safety

Playing and swimming in the water is a wonderful way to beat the summer heat for both you and your pets! And while some dogs love water more than others, following just a few tips will help your pooch stay safe while you’re out and about in pools, lakes and more.

1. Follow your dog’s lead. You may think all dogs love the water, but even breeds known for water loving can be hesitant until they get comfy. Make time to help your dog get comfy around and in water. Don’t force your pup to go in the water, and choose a shallow body of water to try going in together to play and interact.

2. Take precautions. A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to water safety. Try:

1. Choosing a body of water that’s safe for and welcomes dogs prior to getting wet.

   1. Checking the tide report to make sure rip tides aren’t going to be an issue before swimming in the ocean.

   2. Fitting your pup for a life vest for extra safety, especially if you’re going out on a boat.

3. Keep a close watch. Whether your dog has been swimming for years or is just starting out, keeping a close watch when he’s in the water is important to stop issues before they start. Tired pups are more prone to accidents and, unfortunately, drowning, so know your pup’s limits and take him out of the water at the first signs of fatigue.

4. Provide fresh water for drinking. Chemicals and bacteria in water bodies can be bad for your dog to ingest, so bring fresh water to encourage him to drink water that’s safe.

5. Rinse off. After swimming in a pool, lake or the ocean, take time to rinse off with fresh water to help your dog’s skin be free of salt, chlorine and other things that could dry out his skin.

Taking a few precautions can keep your pooch safe when playing and swimming in water. Photo by Pet Friendly Travel Blog.