My dog loves to lie in the sun, but I don’t want him to overheat. What can I do to deter him from the sun?
As lovely as it is to sit in the garden and enjoy the sunshine, in the extreme temperatures and during the middle of the day, it may actually be better to keep your dog inside to prevent them from overheating.
Check for plenty of shade when your dog ventures outside once it’s cooler. DIY sun shelters make the perfect shaded spots for dogs to sleep in, but the shade of trees or hedges is equally as helpful – just watch for the sun moving around. Paddling pools can be great for helping your four-legged friend cool off, too. And always make sure there is fresh water available for him to drink!
I love gardening, particularly in the summer, but I’ve heard some plants are dangerous to dogs – is this true?
Some plants are perfectly safe for pets, while others may cause a mild upset tummy. However, some can be highly toxic or even life-threatening, so knowing all the poisonous plants as a pet owner is really important.
Highly toxic plants at this time of year include giant hogweed, hydrangea, foxglove, ragwort, larkspur, lily of the valley, rowan, oleander, geranium, and cotoneaster. In some cases, all parts of the plant can be toxic, so remove or cordon off plants, so your dog can’t get to them. Symptoms of plant poisoning include drooling, low energy, vomiting, and/or diarrhoea. If you are concerned your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, contact your vet immediately.
Visit www.pdsa.org.uk/poisonous-plants to find out more.
Our dog loves visiting the beach, but he gets pretty travel sick in the car. Is there anything we can do to help him?
I’d advise leaving at least an hour between feeding your dog and starting your journey. All dogs should wear a pet seatbelt or safety harness when travelling, which could also help him feel more secure in his seat. Make sure you take frequent breaks so he can stretch his legs, have a drink, and cool down.
Your dog might be getting anxious or over-excited, which could be contributing to his travel sickness. Some anti-anxiety products, such as calming sprays, could help ease motion sickness, so it’s worth speaking to your vet about which ones may be suitable. Reward-based training for car travel can help to teach him to stay calm and relaxed in the car, too.
You can find more information about safe car travel for pets at: www.pdsa.org.uk/car-travel
My dogs are due to go to the kennels for the first time this summer, and I’m worried about kennel cough. Should I be?
Most good kennels will ask to see proof of kennel cough vaccination before letting dogs in, so you should have peace of mind that all dogs visiting the kennels have been vaccinated against it, meaning a breakout is much less likely. However, like any vaccine, the kennel cough vaccine doesn’t give 100% guaranteed protection, but it does significantly reduce the chance that your dog will catch kennel cough and reduces symptoms if they do catch it.
If your dogs were to catch kennel cough, in many cases, they get better on their own, although it often takes a while. However, if they are badly affected, they may need antibiotics. If your dogs haven’t had their kennel cough vaccination yet, ask your vet about adding it to their vaccine schedule. Be sure to vaccinate them at least two weeks before they go into kennels.
Learn more at: www.pdsa.org.uk/kennelcough