Every dog in this world deserves to be loved and cared for. This is why all would-be pet owners should not just jump at the chance of owning a pet if they know they couldn’t provide these adorable creatures with a happy life.
A dog owner should be equipped with a number of valuable traits that could make them an ideal carer for their pets. For instance, pet owners should be patient, loving and caring. Pet owners should also have the means to take care of their pets by feeding them, bringing them to the vet and more.
Another important thing would-be pet owners should think of is how to care for their pets during the summer months. Since majority of dogs are blessed with thick furs, it is important to know what they need in order to make sure they wouldn’t suffer from heat stroke or other similar casualties.
1. Unlimited Supply of Water
Dogs should be given an unlimited supply of water that can help keep them hydrated especially during the hot summer months. Dogs, just like humans, need to drink all the time especially if they are kept outdoors for long hours or are considered to be active.
Since dogs couldn’t speak, it is important for pet owners to have the initiative to fill their water bowls even before it gets completely empty. Responsible pet ownership also means that you know various indicators that suggest your dog could be suffering from an illness.
The minute pets avoid drinking water especially when it is extremely hot outside, could be an indication that they are not 100 percent healthy.
2. Indoor Care and Ventilation
During the summer months, dogs need to stay indoors more often than they do outdoors. This is to make sure that they are not prone to heat stroke or sunburn. Not all pet owners know that dogs could suffer from sunburn too, so it is important to just keep them indoors especially when the sun is out.
Some pet owners may not like the idea of seeing their pets roam inside their homes. However, at the end of the day, pet owners who truly value their companions would know that their lives are more important than material things. With this in mind, the summer months will just be short so keeping dogs indoors shouldn’t really be a problem.
3. Free Them from Parasites
Dogs are prone to ticks and fleas and they become more susceptible to these during the summertime. This is why it is important to always bring your dogs to the vet to make sure that they are given the right medication that they need.
Most veterinarians would recommend front-lining your pets. This is a type of medication that is easy for both the dogs and their pet owners. Unlike other types of oral medications, frontline simply needs to be applied directly on the dog’s neck and the liquid medication will already be absorbed by the entire body.
However, it is not advisable to front-line your pets if this is not what they need. The best resort still remains the same and that is to bring them to the vet for consultation first.
4. Cooling Pad or Mattress
One of the cheapest items dogs need during the summertime is the cooling pad or the cooling mattress. This type of product comes in many different types, sizes and brands but its purpose remains the same – that is, to help make dogs feel much cooler than they really are.
Some cooling pads can be stored inside the freezer because their size is just small. After several hours of storage, these pads can be placed under the dog’s body or paws. The mattress on the other hand is a much bigger option and can be placed under the dog’s entire body.
5. Regular Grooming and Haircut
It is common knowledge that dogs need regular grooming and haircut. However, this fact especially holds true during the warm summer months. If you are taking care of dogs that have extremely long and thick fur, it is important to always give them a haircut at least twice a month.
When it comes to bathing your dogs, weekly showers or bi-weekly showers are advisable for some, depending on their breed and fur type.
Grooming and bathing need not be a cause for concern especially among dog owners whose schedules are packed with things to do. Bathing your dogs will only take a few minutes of your time on weekends so this shouldn’t really be a problem.
Giving dogs bi-weekly haircut and grooming on the other hand means you will send them to a grooming facility that you can easily find in your area. Petco remains to be the top choice among pet owners in the United States because they provide a range of services for dogs at truly affordable prices.
