Loving My Animals

Things are finally warming up. When that happens, your dog will want to spend more time outside. If springtime signifies the start of your dogs outdoor living time, you need to make sure that everything is set up for the transition from indoor living to outdoor living. Taking a few precautions will ensure that your dog is healthy and safe during its time spent outdoors. Here are four steps you should take to protect your dog now that it will be spending more time outside.

Start with a Trip to the Veterinarian

Now that spring is here, and the weather is warming up, it's time to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian. Starting the season with a well-dog checkup will ensure that your dog is healthy and ready for the warm weather. This is also a good time to make sure that your dog receives its Lyme disease vaccination. If you don't think you live in a tick region, you should know that Lyme disease no longer has specific regions of infection. If your dog is going to spend time outside this spring and summer, be sure it receives the Lyme disease vaccine.

Provide a Clean Space for the Water and Food

If your dog is going to be an outside dog now that the weather is warming up, it's time to provide it with a clean space for water and food. Choose an area that's out of the sun and up off the ground. It's also a good idea to invest in dog dishes that can't be chewed up. You never know when your dog is going to get bored. You don't want to come home and find out that your dog has been without food and water because it got bored and chewed up its dishes.

Ensure a Cool Place for Your Dog to Rest

Once you've got the feeding area situated, you'll need to ensure a cool place for your dog to rest. One way to do that is to invest in an all-weather dog house. That way, your dog has a place to call its own. If you haven't invested in an all-weather dog house, set up a dog bed under a shady tree. To keep it up off the ground, place it on a wood pallet.

Give the Doggy Door a Safety Inspection

If you have a doggy door for your dog to use, be sure to give it a safety inspection. This is particularly important if your dog's food, water, and bed will be kept in the house. The last thing you want is to come home and find out that your dog couldn't get through the doggy door and was out in the heat all day. 

For more information, contact your local animal care clinic.