6 Tips to Help Your Dogs Transition from Spring to Summer

6 Tips to Help Your Dogs Transition from Spring to Summer

The changing of seasons can be hard on everyone – including your pups! It’s important to make sure that they’re comfortable while the weather and temperature are changing. Here are 6 tips to help your dogs transition from spring to summer:

Watch Your Dogs for Allergic Reactions or Seasonal Allergies

If you find your dog excessively licking or acting out of the ordinary, it might be a good idea to take them to the vet. Dogs, like humans, can have seasonal allergies. Your vet can test and treat your dog for allergies. They might recommend medicine or other products to make them more comfortable. If you know your dog has a history of seasonal allergies, make sure you have the proper products or medication on hand before allergy season starts. Being prepared will help you combat allergy season with your pup! And humans, if you know that you have seasonal allergies, make sure to take care of yourself! It’s much harder to take care of a pup when you’re not feeling well, so it’s important to stay on top of allergies so you can be the best owner that you can pet.  

Consider Having Your Pet Groomed

If you have a dog that requires haircuts, spring is typically a good time to schedule an appointment with your groomer. Experts say that it’s best to avoid shaving your dog as it can cause sunburns and some hair actually protects them from the heat. If you have a dog with long hair, a scissor trim is a great option. This helps make sure they don’t have too much hair so they won’t overheat. If your dog loves to swim or hike, a small trim can also help combat matted hair. After your trip to the groomer, we recommend properly maintaining their haircut through thorough brushing. This will help prevent any mats from forming. It’s also a great way to check your dog for any ticks, scratches, or bumps.  

Make Sure They’re Properly Outfitted for the Temperature

Depending on where you live, it can still be chilly in the early spring! If you’re worried about your dog being too cold for walks, we suggest having them wear a coat. For spring weather, the BAYDOG Saginaw Bay Fleece is perfect. It has a weather resistant shell, a soft fleece liner, and it is machine washable. As the weather gets warmer, make sure your dog’s gear is breathable so your dog doesn’t overheat.  If your dog wears a harness, double check that it’s not overheating them. A great harness option for larger dogs is BAYDOG’s Galveston Bay Harness. This particular harness features a padded breast plate and spine guard with lightweight mesh lining to protect and cool active dogs. By buying appropriate dog gear for respective seasons, you can ensure that your dog will be happy and comfortable no matter the temperature.  

Protect Their Paws (and Their Bum!)

As summer approaches, the temperate of pavement can increase. It’s important to take proper precautions so your dog’s paws don’t burn. There are a few ways to combat this. First, we suggest walking your dog during the cooler parts of the day like early morning or late evenings. Not only will this help their paws, but it can ensure that they won’t overheat. For bathroom breaks during the day, try to keep them on grass and off pavement. In the summer, we need to take care of our dog’s paws. Some options include boots, wax, socks, or even dog leggings. If the temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the pavement can be up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. When returning inside, we recommend checking your dog’s paw pads for any damage. If your dog sits or lies down on hot pavement, any part of their body can burn (including their bum). Be vigilant about how much time they spend on pavement and try to avoid it at all costs. We recommend not letting them lay down or sit on pavement since it can burn them.  

Be Vigilant about Ticks and Fleas

Depending on where you live, ticks can increase in the summer. If your dog is not currently on flea and tick medication, consult their vet to find what’s best for them. Depending on which medication they are on, you can stock up and buy them in a pack so that you don’t run out. If your dog loves to hike in the woods, you should inspect them for ticks every time they come indoors. If you do find a tick, AKC has a great article on how to safely remove it. Ticks can carry many different diseases, so we recommend keeping a close eye on your dog for a few days after. If they’re acting any different, it is wise to see a vet. We also recommend searching your dogs for fleas every time you brush them. If you're unsure if your dog has fleas, Daydreamdog has a great guide.  

Keep Your Pup Hydrated

Dogs can easily become overheated in warmer weather. By keeping them hydrated and cool, you can help eliminate the risk. Make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water throughout the day. If you’re going hiking or boating with your dog, bring their own supply of water with a travel water bowl. For a fun treat, you can feed them ice cubes or make your own frozen dog treats as a supplement. We love freezing bone broth into ice cube trays, but you can get creative and make your own treats with dog-safe ingredients. As a reminder, all treats should be given in moderation. We hope these tips help you have a fun and safe spring and summer with your pup! Share your travels in BAYDOG with us on our InstagramFacebookand Twitter. Be sure to sign up for our email list to make sure you’re always the first to know when we release new products!

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