Summer Dangers for Your Dog

Summer is a great time for your dog. He (or she) loves playing in the yard, going to the park or taking long walks in the sun. But summer also poses special dangers to your beloved dog. Here are three of the most common ones:

Heat Stroke Heat stroke is caused when the body "over-heats." It can be fatal for dogs (as it can for humans.) To prevent this danger:

*Make sure that your dog drinks plenty of fresh water

*Never leave a dog in a parked car, even with the window cracked slightly. The interior of a car traps heat very quickly and it can become very hot, very fast inside for your poor dog.

*Make sure that your dog has access to a shady area when he's outside. (A dog naturally will seek the shade on hot sunny days.)

*If you tie your dog outside for any period of time, make sure that he has a shelter to protect him from the sun.

*Walk, or exercise, your dog in the early morning or early evening on a hot summer day. Never take him for a walk at midday on hot days.

Food Dangers Dogs have access to certain foods, and eating behaviors, that are unique to summer. Unfortunately, these doggies "treats" can be dangerous, or lethal, to your dog. Some of these food dangers are:

*Corncobs. Never give your dog corncobs. They cannot digest them and the cobs frequently have to be surgically removed from their stomachs.

*Raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs if they eat too many of them.

*Mushrooms. Wild mushrooms spring up all over your yard in the summer, and many dogs like to eat them. Some of these mushrooms, however, are quite toxic and can be fatal for your dog.

*Left over dog food. The summer heat encourages bacteria to grow more quickly in uneaten dog food. Dispose of these doggie leftovers immediately.

*Moldy food. In the summer, many dogs have a tendency to get into trash and compost piles, eating whatever "goodies" they find. Unfortunately, some of this food may have a type of toxic mold that can be lethal to your dog.

Insect Bites Summer brings out a lot of insects that can cause your dog a lot of misery, including death. Some of these insects are:

*Mosquitoes. These pesky insects can give your dog heartworm, a potentially fatal illness. To eliminate this danger, make sure you give your dog his regular dosage of heartworm medication.

*Fleas and ticks. Some dogs are allergic to fleabites, and dander, and may develop a painful rash. Ticks can give Lyme disease, and other illnesses, to your dog. Your veterinarian has many products that can eliminate fleas and ticks on your dog.

SOURCES

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9739.asp

http://www.ereleases.com/pr/top-10-summer-pet-health-tips-from-petmdorg-12419

http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Summer_dog_tips.html