Dog Care 101

Dogs are not immune to getting sunburn, in fact can just as easily become a burnt hot dog. Just like humans dogs are at high risk of suffering from skin damage and skin cancer caused by over exposure to the sun's UV rays. To much sun can leave a dog sunburned and miserable. So before your dog hits the beach, nap in their sunny spot, frolic along hiking trails and enjoy the great outdoors it is important to know the facts about sunburn. Most importantly don't forget to lather Fido with doggy sunscreen. Here are few things all pet owners must know about recognizing, preventing and treating sunburn.

Which dogs are susceptible to sunburn?

• Any dog that consistently spends time in the sun during the hottest parts of the day;
• Dogs that have white or light colored hair;
• Dogs that have very short hair, or no hair at all; and
• Dogs that have suffered a loss of fur through allergies, hot spots or medical treatment.

What are the signs of sunburn?

• Red skin; and/or
• Hair loss; and/or
• Sores;

What areas of the body are prone to sunburn?

Those parts where there is little hair covering and/or where the skin pigmentation is low; specifically:

• Nose;
• Ends of the ears;
• Around the mouth;
• Eyelids
• Your dog's underside - belly, groin and inside the legs; these areas are particularly at risk where your dog is on a reflective surface, such as walking on a concrete path.

What's the best way to prevent dog sunburn?

• Keep your dog inside in a cool room, or if he's outside, in adequate shelter during the hottest parts of the day;
• Use a sunscreen on those parts of his body susceptible to sunburn. Use a pet sunscreen because those produced for human use contain ingredients that are toxic to your dog. Remember to regularly reapply the sunscreen as it will wear, or be licked, off relatively quickly;
• You can buy bodysuits for your dog that protect them from UV rays - if your dog is continually out in the sun, this may be the best option, and your vet should be able to provide you with more information on these products; and
• If you regularly have your dog clipped in the summer, think about leaving his coat a bit longer so the hair offers some protection. Talk to your dog's groomer about clipping your dog - some dog breed's hair is designed to insulate the dog from the sun's heat and if you clip it off, you may be doing more harm than good to your dog.

How do you soothe a sunburned dog?

• Use aloe vera, nature's ointment. The juice from the aloe vera plant will help reduce infection and scarring and speed the healing process. If you have a plant available, break off the tip of a leaf and squeeze out some gel. Apply it directly to the affected area. If a fresh plant is unavailable, a cream with aloe vera works well.

• Speed healing with vitamin E. Puncture a Vitamin E capsule and squeeze out the oil, applying to the affected area to reduce scarring and speed healing.

• Replace lost moisture on the skin. Applying a moisturizer can restore the moisture balance to the skin. Those products which contain coconut or jojoba oil are best. Apply three times per day.

• Use witch hazel, it has a cooling property as it evaporates from the skin but doesn't sting. Apply with a cotton ball three to four times per day.

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They're cute and cuddly, although a huge responsibility a dog can also be very beneficial to your family. Sure pet ownership has its challenges but it is all worth it when love is reciprocated with an over abundance of licks, wags and pure adoration.  They truly live up to their title as "Man's Best Friend" in more ways then one. While it is true that dog's dish out tons of unconditional love and loyalty, they also provide real health benefits to their care takers. Here are a few benefits:

1. Low Blood Pressure. Dog owners have lower blood pressure. Several studies have shown that the simple act of stroking a dog can reduce blood pressure. More recent studies have found that these effects continue throughout the day when people are away from their dog as well. Dog owners cope with stress better and lowered blood pressure is a result of that relationship between a dog and his human.

2. Low Cholesterol. Dog owners have lower cholesterol levels than non-dog owners. They are at less risk of developing heart disease or other cardiovascular problems. In fact, studies show that dog owners overall are healthier than the general population. This can be partially explained by regular walks with the family dog.

3. Happier & Less Grumpy. Dog owners are happier in general. Your pup can turn any frown upside down. It hard to be sad when you look into those puppy eyes. Dog ownership has been shown to reduce loneliness and fight depression in their owners. When people are not lonely and depressed they are happier. Dogs can cause happiness in humans, in part, by causing the release of endorphins in the brain, which are natural anti-depressants produced by the human body. With this increase in mental health, quality of life is increased respectively.

4. Live Longer. Dog owners live longer. Because dog owners cope with stress better and do not suffer from depression as often; they are more likely to live longer. While being happy will not heal a person it can keep them from becoming ill in the first place. Pets provide companionship, healthy relationships and become topics of conversation which aid in social interactions with others. Dogs also increase self esteem and cause humans to feel more compassion for others. All of these factors combined have a dramatically positive effect on the day to day happiness of dog owners.

5. Higher Survival Rates. Dog owners have higher survival rates after serious illness. Some studies have shown that heart attack patients with dogs are twice as likely to be alive one year after their heart attack than their no-dog owning peers. Some experts even believe that dogs affect survival rates to a greater extent than friends or family members. This is most likely explained by the patient’s desire to get better because they feel they need to in order to care for their dog.

Summer time equals fun in the sun with family, friends and your dog but it can also mean danger. Here are a few health hazards & risk that all pet owners should be aware of in order to keep your dog safe during those long dog days of summer.

Dehydration
Cool your dog down with a refreshing bowl of clean ice water. Pupsicles are also a fun way to cool down your dog by freezing low sodium chicken broth or yogurt in ice cube trays. Check out our healthy Straw-bana Pupsicle recipe!

Burned Pads
When the mercury rises so does hot surfaces under the summer sun. Be aware that asphalt on sidewalks and streets can heat to a temperature which can burn a dog's paws. It is is recommended that you walk your dog in the early morning or late evening, the coolest parts of the day, to prevent your dog from getting sun burned (buy pet sunscreen) or scorched paws. You may also want to provide your dog with paw protective booties when walking during the heat of the day. One way to gauge whether or not a walk on a hot summer day is a good idea is to put your hand down on the asphalt for about thirty seconds. If your hand can't stand the heat for 30 seconds, and you need to pull away, then your dog paws probably will not be able to endure a 30 minute walk or run around the block.

Parasites
Summer time means lunch time for insects. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes are tail biting bloodsucking pest that can wreak havoc on your pet causing discomfort or life threatening health issues. Prevention is key to winning the war against fleas and ticks. Lucky for you there are so many preventative solutions available from flea tick medication, repellent shampoo's & sprays, essential oils, all natural remedies and more. Keeping your dog well groomed, healthy and home clean will reduce your pet's risk of parasite infestation.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a serious risk not only to humans but dogs as well and can be fatal. The first step toward heatstroke prevention is restricting your dogs exercise and outdoor play time during the hottest parts of the day. Instead opt for early morning or late evening strolls, runs, brisk walks and a fun game of fetch at the park. Make sure your dog is well hydrated at all times and carry ample water on your adventures. Provide your dog with an air conditioned place to chill and relax, supervised swim time and cooling mats. NEVER, NEVER leave your dog unattended in the car during summer heat, it only takes a few seconds for a car to overheat and turn into an oven. So how hot does your car get? Find out!  Even if your windows are cracked or you park in the shade, heat can build quickly in a car in the summer so the safer option is to leave your dog home when running errands. Be fair warned that leaving your dog in a hot car may be seen as act of animal cruelty and can get you in a lot of trouble. Check out "Don't Leave Me in Here — It's Hot!" fliers for you to print and pass around to pet owners.

Seasonal Allergies
Summer time and the living is sneezy! If your dog has the sniffles, hot spots, balding, the itches then allergies may be the culprit. Seasonal allergies can come in many forms-  fleas, grass and plants, and mold allergies. If your dog is barking for relief and you suspect your dog may have seasonal allergies we recommend a vet visit. Not only will the vet help you get down to the root of the problem a vet check up will also help rule out any other possible serious health issues.

Memorial Day is the perfect time to honor US soldiers, including our canine pals serving our country and risking their lives fighting for our freedom. With the holiday weekend fast approaching here are a few fun, simple & cost saving ways to have fun with your dog.

Dog day at the park: Parks are the perfect place to host a Memorial Day cookout or picnic. So pack up your picnic baskets and enjoy summer weather and grill time at your local pet friendly park.  Hey don't forget to pack a ball or frisbee! As a responsible pet owner it is important to supervise your dog and pick-up.

Make a Splash: Cool down with your dog with a brisk swim in the pool or enjoy the sea shore at a pet friendly beach or lake. Unable to get to the beach or don't have access to an adult size pool. No worries! Pick up a kiddie pool at a discount store for some inexpensive water fun or just turn on the sprinklers! Your kiddies and dog will have a blast!!

Treat your dog: Hop in the car for a trip to your local pet store to purchase some goodies for your canine pal. Better yet search the web for delicious recipes, put on your apron, bake up a batch of homemade dog treats and reward your pup.

Bath time fun: Give your dog his or her day at the spa right at home with a relaxing bath. Getting your dog squeaky clean will only help to nurture the human pet bond. Besides everyone loves a nice smelling dog!

Take a Hike: Pack your backpack with ample food, water and supplies and go on a nature hike with your trail blazing canine. Make sure you follow hiking safety rules and keep your dog on leash and in eyes view.

It's time to kick off summer with a Memorial Day celebration! Nothing say's fun in the sun then a barbecue and a good old fashion picnic with family and friends (even Fido would agree). But before you ignite the grill, chomp down on a juicy burger, lounge around the pool and enjoy the festivities remember safety first. Although it is recommended by the ASPCA to keep your dog indoors during those backyard BBQ's. If you insist on allowing your dog to partake in the festive affair it is important that as a responsible pet owner you are aware of the risk. Here are some precautionary pet safety tips to make Memorial day a blast for everyone.

1. Keep alcoholic beverages out of paws reach. Alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, so make sure pet does not accidentally consume any wine, beer or spirits.

2. Stay on regular diet & resist those pleading eyes. Although it may be tempting to throw your dogs licking chops some picnic fare we advise that you resist the urge.  Just say "No" to those angelic, begging eye! Any change in your dog's diet can result in an upset stomach. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.

3. Use ONLY dog specific bug repellent and sunscreen. Never use human insect repellent or sunscreen on your dog. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.

4. Fido should stay clear of matches, candles & lighter fluid. Keep your pet away from matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system. Before you light that hot grill make sure your four legged family member is out of harms way.

5. Supervise pool time. Never leave kids or pets unsupervised around a pool or lake. Like humans not all dogs are expert swimmers. Also, pools aren’t large water bowls—they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach upset.

6. Carry ID. If traveling with your pet, take identification for them and their health records. Make sure they are wearing their collar & tags at all time in the event that become lost.

7. Never leave pet in hot car. Your pet is just as susceptible to dying of a heatstroke when the mercury rises. It only takes a few minutes for the inside of your car to get excessively hot and turn into a sauna.

As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous from the picnic table, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435.