Keep your pooch happy, dry this monsoon

Monsoon brings in an array of allergies, fungal infections, stomach disorders and fur loss problems among pets, and particularly dogs.
Keep your pooch happy, dry this monsoon

CHENNAI:Monsoon brings in an array of allergies, fungal infections, stomach disorders and fur loss problems among pets, and particularly dogs. It is important to keep a close eye on your pet during the rains. Protect your dog from fungal infections. Fungal infection in your dog’s paws and abdomen is a common issue in the rainy season. You may also notice pimples, redness of skin or itching.

A wet coat is a nesting ground for fleas/ticks and skin infection. Dirt and dampness of the fur is an open invitation to skin infections. Yeast infections thrive in moist conditions; mostly found in the folds of the skin, ear canals, armpits, and fingers/paws, etc, and cause the skin to itch. The constant scratching aggravates the condition as the skin cracks, and this further causes bacterial infections. Ensure to keep your pet clean and dry during the monsoon. If your dog has a history of skin-related allergies, you may consider making him wear a dog raincoat. However, it is still important to wipe your dog dry after it’s been outdoors.

Paw pad care is very important now.

Dogs sweat from their paw pads, this leads to the build-up of moisture. Also, walking on soaked roads and sidewalks dampens the paws. It becomes important for the dog owner to clean paws, including the space between the toes. Some pet parents prefer to use dog shoes, but not all dogs are comfortable walking in these shoes. Just make an extra effort to use warm water and a soft towel or pet wipes to clean the paws. Ensure that there are no ear infections. Dogs with closed ears run the risk of accumulating moisture, which may lead to ear infections. Wipe your dog’s ears dry post bathing or after he returns home from the rains. Often, the moisture that collects in closed ears wreaks havoc in the form of ear-infections, hence ear wax and moisture need to be wiped off.

Though we tend to religiously maintain our pet’s daily cleansing routine, we often neglect their food habits. Add fibrous fruits and vegetables into your dog’s diet. This will help his regular bowel movements, even if you don’t get a chance to walk too much due to rains. A fibre-rich meal will work wonders for healthy digestion and bowel movement in the absence of longer walks and outdoor play. A perfect concoction of proteins, vitamins and calcium will help keep your dog active and healthy. Give them hygienically prepared home-cooked wet food to meet their moisture requirement. Give your dog boiled water to help avoid all sorts of tummy issues, if the water quality in your area is questionable. Bathe your dog with a good anti-fungal shampoo to avoid ticks and rashes. Keep your dog’s sleeping area free of mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and bugs as these can lead to tick fever and other monsoon diseases. You can also opt for dry shampoos. Groom and brush him daily to keep him clean.

Warm as well as moist months of the year lead to the rise of parasites, leading to tick fever. One way to prevent tick/flea infestation is by keeping your dog’s bedding clean. Anti-tick collars and regular grooming are a great preventive technique. Administer de-worming tablets.Also make sure the vaccination of the pet is up to date.

Rains tend to come in way of your dog’s usual exercise regimen. In case the walks have reduced due to rains, feed your dog accordingly to match the level of its activity. Else, you may end up with an overweight pooch. Think of some indoor exercise ideas- this can compensate for the lack of long walks. Play a game of fetch with your pet using a ball or frisbee. You can also offer your dog chew toys for it to be healthily engaged and so as to not displace pent up energy in destructive forms.

Make a ‘safe place’ for your dog to help his rain and thunder anxiety issues. To avoid this, create a safe place for your dog where he can go to when frightened.For example, leave a bedroom door open if he likes to sneak under the bed. Some dogs may howl/bark a lot in such scary situations. Follow these few tips and make the monsoon months as enjoyable for your pooch as it is for you.

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