How to Make Summer Stress-free for Dogs

Summer is so fun for so many reasons. Cook outs, vacations, and gorgeous weather, to name a few. Did you know some of these things yield stressful or dangerous outcomes for your pet? We’ve listed some of the commonplace triggers below as well as lesser-known threats to help you avoid them and have purely smooth sailing this summer.

Aye, Aye, Captain!

If you’re hitting the lake or the ocean this summer with your dog, make sure it’s not the first time they’re seeing the waves. A curious pup might thing taking a dip sounds awfully refreshing. Spending energy in the water is a wonderful way to exercise your pet but it comes with risks and is made much safer by practicing a few times before you get to open water. Work on your recall commands and make sure they are situated in a life-vest. Re-apply sunscreen regularly and you’re good to go!

Fourth of July

Fireworks

Loud noises can be tough for our pups. These sounds can startle them or overwhelm them. Past trauma sometimes plays a role, but for any dog, their hearing is about four times as sensitive as ours! That’s a lot of stimuli to handle. In preparation for this holiday, make sure there is somewhere away from crowds and comfortable for your dog (like a bathroom, garage, or bedroom) with blankets and things to absorb some of the sound. It can help minimize the stress to keep them away from the hubbub and give them space and time to chill out.

Food

Imagine being a dog on Fourth of July – the amount of hot dog bits alone could probably tide them over until Christmas. Jokes aside, every holiday it’s tempting to involve your pets in the festivities and you should feel free to do so! However, make sure you do it safely. Too-big pieces of hotdog or hamburger can get lodged in your dog’s airways, and buns really don’t provide any nutrients for them. Watermelon is a great choice, but be a stickler about removing the seeds before you give it to them as they are toxic. If in doubt, opt for a dog treat over human food every time.

Trash

For big family gatherings it’s normal to have trash bags tied at convenient places to dump your plates and keep the area clear – however, unsecured trash bags are a dog’s treasure trove. Full of things to scarf down, there are few things more appealing than a loosely tied trash bag. Try to keep any garbage off of the ground or in a bin so there’s no way for an unsupervised pup to eat his way into a food coma.

A Quick Guide to Toxic Items for Dogs:

• Xylitol (often found in peanut butter)
• Grapes (and raisins)
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions
• Garlic
• Avocado
• Caffeine in any form
• Fruit peels/pits/seeds

Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661, http://www.petpoisonhelpline.comExternal Link Disclaimer

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435, www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control