Summer is finally here and it’s likely that you can’t wait to get outside with your pet.
This may be especially true if you have a senior pet, who has probably felt cooped up indoors for too long and is aching to soak up the sunshine and stretch the old bones a bit. However, spending winter indoors has probably meant limited exercise for your arthritic pet, which can have a negative impact on your senior pet’s summer fun, if you don’t take it a little easy.
While the prospect of enjoying the yard, the lake, and long walks is exciting to you both, it’s important to start slow and not rush into any extreme activity. After all, you wouldn’t want to jump up off the couch and run a marathon at 60, and neither does your pet.
In addition to easing into summer activities, you may also want to keep the following tips in mind when it comes to helping senior and arthritic pets getting the most out of summer…
Swimming
Most dogs love to swim. This is good news, as swimming is very therapeutic for arthritic dogs and can feel really good on hot, summer days. But a trip to the lake or pool can also become strenuous for your pet if precautions are not taken to ensure your pet’s safety.
Make sure your senior pet has an easy exit out of the lake or pool and never leave your pet unsupervised. Furthermore, if it is too difficult to get your pet to the lake or pet-friendly pool, you can always put a plastic kiddy pool in your yard that your dog can access easily and enjoy whenever he wants. Just be sure that the water is not too cold for your pet, as that can have a negative impact on your pet’s arthritis too, if he or she is left in the water for too long.
Hydration
As is true with all animals, make sure your senior pet has plenty of water. It is especially important to have continual access to drinking water on those hot summer days, and that the water is easily accessible for your aging companion. You will want to have water bowls in a few different places throughout your yard and home, so that no matter where he or she decides to stop for a drink, water can be found.
Climate Control
Shade is very important for pets during the hot summer months, and senior and arthritic pest will need shade more often than younger pets, which can stand the heat for longer periods of time. Pets with arthritis or hip dysplasia will have difficult time getting around, so make sure that those shady areas in the yard are not too far away or hard to reach.
It’s also likely that your senior pet will tire more easily, so be sure to limit his or her time outdoors if your yard is hot and sunny. A cool, air conditioned house is always a good place for your senior pet to return to during the hot weather of summer, so make sure that coming indoors is easy, too.
Finally, remember that dogs don’t perspire; instead, they release heat from their bodies through the pads on their feet and by panting. Lying in the shade, drinking plenty of water, and being limited in outdoor activity will help your senior pet beat the summer heat and get the most out of summer.
And it is always very important to remember to never leave your pet in a parked car – even with the windows open! The temperature inside a car can reach extremely high levels which make it impossible for your pet to release heat from his own body.
If you have any questions or concerns about your senior pet’s health this summer, or if you think that your pet may have hip dysplasia or early onset of arthritis, please give us a call. We’re happy to answer what questions we can over the phone, and schedule a senior pet wellness exam, if needed.
