March 13, 2012
Posted in Flea & Tick Preventatives, How to, Pet Health

Now that the weather is getting warmer, you may be looking forward to long walks and hikes with your dog in the great outdoors. There are some considerations to make before, during and after the walk to ensure you both make the most of the experience and come out of it safe and healthy.

The warm weather brings out all kinds of bugs, so make sure your dog is protected with pet drugs like Comfortis or Frontline Plus. Frontline will protect your pooch from fleas, ticks and lice, while Comfortis starts killing fleas immediately.

You will also want to make sure you use pet products like the Flexi Retractable Leash to keep your dog safe on the walk. Many states and public parks have leash laws, so in addition to keeping your pooch out of trouble, you might be saving yourself a fine. Many places also have rules about cleaning up after your dog, so make sure you bring bags like Poopy Packs to make sure you don't leave a trail.

Most dogs love running around and being active in the outdoors, but older dogs might need a little support on their joints to enjoy a rigorous walk. If your dog has arthritis, give it a joint supplement like Dasuquin, which has glucosamine for dogs to support healthy cartilage. If your dog is sore or seems lame after the walk, consider giving it pet drugs like Metacam to soothe any inflammation around the joints. It might want to use dog steps around the house if it is really sore – supplies like this make it easier for the pooch to climb up and down from the couch.

After you and Fido have enjoyed a fun romp in the woods together, make sure to look the dog over, searching for any scratches or ticks on its body. Corneal abrasion, or scratches on its eye, are common after playing in the woods, since dirt or sticks can easily scratch while the dog is running. If you have a white dog, even a minor scratch may cause excessive tearing. Tears have a chemical reaction on white fur that causes it to turn rusty brown, so you might want to get Angels' Eyes For Dogs and Cats to remove these unsightly stains.

You should also check your pooch's body for ticks. It is important to remove these parasites even if your dog has been given flea and tick preventative medication. 

Related posts:

1. Make a resolution to keep your dog safe
2. Protect your dog against Lyme disease
3. What are fleas and ticks?
4. Prepare for risks at the dog park
5. Is it safe to keep your pooch outside?