Responsible Dog Owning in Summer
Now that it is looking as though the sun is finally here to stay, we can once more break out the picnic baskets and grab the leads, and head out into the beautiful countryside for some more substantial, scenic walks with our animal friends. When the weather cheers up, we start to see dog walkers everywhere, ranging from the beaches all the way to the hilltops; dog owners cannot be avoided, and they will almost certainly be having a great time whenever you see them.
If you are a dog owner, and particularly enjoy summer for longer walks and a change of scenery, don’t forget that summer can be a particularly uncomfortable time of year for your dog. Excessive temperatures can lead to overheating, so make sure your dog has access to cool and ideally fresh water at all times. Don’t forget though that bloat is a risk that threatens many larger breeds of dog, so do not allow your dog to become dehydrated throughout the day and then allow the dog to gorge on a full bowl of water, as excessive thirst can cause a dog to gulp large quantities of water and intake a lot of air whilst doing so, causing bloat. This is an extremely dangerous health problem for dogs that can often become fatal, so if your dog is extremely thirsty give them smaller portions of water with a small amount of time between, controlling any speedy-drinking that can cause the problems.
In some unfortunately recent and related news, leaving your dogs in the car during summer, no matter for how short an amount of time, is negligence and cruelty to your animals. Always take your dog out of the car, as opening the windows will do nothing to circulate the heat out of the car, and dogs will heat up much faster than you will whilst stuck inside. It is much better to tie your dog outside in the shade whilst shopping, or better leave them at home with plenty of water, no matter how quick you intend to be.
In other recent news, there appears to be a rise in the activity of adders in Britain as the weather has started to warm up – this week a King Charles Spaniel in Essex died after being bitten by an adder whilst the dog played in the back garden of the owners home. The dog is reported to have ‘become sleepy’ before suffering organ failure. Adder venom is rarely fatal for humans, although you should seek medical advice if you are bitten and keep any pets away from areas where adders may be found. Remember that adders are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, so it is against the law to kill them. They are placid and normally only bite in self-defence, so the best means of protecting yourself and your pets is to be alert and avoid them.
Summer can be a fantastic period for you and your pets so don’t let yourself get caught unprepared. With plenty of water and chances to cool down, your pet will not run the risk of heat stroke; take a moment to think about your animals before leaving them anywhere that may become too hot, and plan ahead accordingly.
