Buddy & Porky’s Pet Health: Loud Summers Stress Dogs

by Contributor | June 15, 2008 8:58 pm

Dear Readers:

I am taking the liberty of using all the space this week to talk about some things that dog owners need to know regarding the summer months here in Oswego County. I know I nag you about this every year, but every year I hear about preventable problems so here I go again.

Most fire departments will be hosting field days and there will be parades, the 4th of July, and Harborfest. All of the events will have music, heat, lots of people and some fireworks. Dogs have acute hearing. Fireworks, band music, and guns from parades will frighten most dogs. Dogs will show anxiety and fear in different ways. They will begin by shaking, then they will make all sorts of attempts to get away from the source of fear, which is the sound. Some dogs have been known to chew through doors, break off chains, run away.

A few tips for your pet: Make sure your dog has an ID tag, so if he should run away, he will be able to be reunited with you. Do not expose your dog to the fireworks unnecessarily. In other words, leave him home from the festivals. If you are living near the activities, consider boarding your dog or asking a friend who doesn’t live near the activities to take your dog for the time of the festival. If you are keeping him home, secure him in a place that you can keep the sound to a minimum. If you know the dog has a real problem, consult your vet about a tranquilizer before the events take place. Do not walk the dog while all the activities are going on. Make it an earlier or later than usual walk during that time so he can relieve himself, and always leash him. Give some extra attention, but not too much; this could make your dog sense there really is something wrong.

Other hazards from summer: Heat! Don’t leave your dog outside without a place to get out of the sun. It is now a law that your dog must have a dog house that protects it from the heat and/or cold with specific guidelines. Make sure he has plenty of cool water. Check throughout the day to see that he has it and hasn’t tipped it over, or used it up. Dogs can also get sunburned; watch for that too. Don’t take a dog running with you, even if he usually does so, when the temperatures and humidity are high. Heat stroke can occur and your dog could suffer from it. Watch your dog at picnics; he could ingest things he normally wouldn’t get to eat. This can cause stomach distress and you could have a sick pet. Again, don’t leave your dog in a parked car PERIOD! The car can heat up quickly and your dog will suffer and could die. Swimming can be a fun activity, but not all dogs are swimmers. That is a myth. Even experienced swimmers can get fatigued easily in the heat and drown.

The bottom line is to use common sense during the festival months of summer with your dog. Don’t expose him to unnecessary stress and you both will be much happier with the outcome.

Buddy

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County. Our office is located at 265 West First Street, Oswego, New York. Phone (315) 207-1070.

Email: [email protected]. Website: www.oswegohumane.org.

And here’s a way to enjoy summer even if you can’t bring your dog. It’s the 8th Annual Chasing & Fetching Balls (a/k/a Golf) Tournament, on Friday July 18th starting at 9 am at Emerald Crest Golf Course in Palermo. Check our website for a sign up form or go to www.ochsgolf.eventbrite.com to sign up online.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/fulton/buddy-porkys-pet-health-loud-summers-stress-dogs/

---