Summer, the favourite month for dogs and their owners.Walking conditions are perfect during the warm mornings and dusky evenings.What could be better than a brisk morning walk or gentle evening stroll with your dog?A good walk is great for your health, and your dog will also benefit from the exercise and fresh air. But summer does bring some hazards that you need to be aware of in order to protect your dog.

BBQs

We all love the taste of food cooked al fresco over hot coals. It is common that when you are outside cooking your dog will be enjoying the garden with you.But be aware that allowing your dog to be in the same space as a hot BBQ could spell disaster.The worst case scenario is that the dog does not even realise the barbeque is hot until it is too late. If your dog is lively and enjoys running around it could quite easily bump into the BBQ unit. Also, you need to be aware that human food might taste good to a dog, but it isn’t necessarily good for it.Dogs don’t mind begging for more, so offering him one sausage will only mean he expects another.By feeding a dog human food from your dinner plate he will learn to expect food from you at each meal time.Instead of unsuitable human food just offer him a big bowl of his favourite dog food. Plus, your dog could end up choking on small bones if you offer it chicken wings or drumsticks.

Provide lots of water

It is cruicial that you incorporate water into your dog’s daily diet.To avoid dehydration during the hot months of summer you need to make sure you are providing water.Make sure that you offer a bowl full of clean, fresh water with every bowl of food and when you are out and about take a bottle of water and a bowl with you.He will benefit from regular drinks and will certainly be thankful that you are quenching his thirst!

Dogs in Cars

You should never, ever leave your dog alone in your car for a prolonged period of time, especially in times of hot weather. Just remember that cars can quickly become very hot inside when parked in direct sunlight. This can make the dog dehydrate and in the worst case scenario could cause death.

Sun Screen

Dogs are as vulnerable to the sun’s rays as humans.You can protect your dog with pet friendly sun screen (don’t be tempted to use human sun screen). Be awre that it is the areas of the body with little fur coverage that are at greatest risk of sun burn, so pay attention to the nose, ears and paws in particular.

Responsible pet owners will do all they can to make sure their animal is healthy, but how many of us really understand the nutritional requirements of our dog?

Protein is a big requirement in a dog’s diet. A mature dog needs around 18% in its daily diet and this level is upped to 22% if the dog is reproducing.Fat is another key ingredient, with a healthy dog requiring about five percent fat in each meal.A diet of 18% protein and 5% fat is ideal for mature dogs.Be really careful not to give your dog too much fat in its diet. Just like in a human, fat will cause your dog to gain weight and whilst it consumes excessive fat it will miss out on other vital nutrients.

Many of us choose to feed a commercial dog food product. Generally they are of a good quality but you should always try and buy the best you can afford and before purchasing the product make sure you read the ingredients list. Meat (protein) should be the first ingredient.But whether you’re feeding your dog commercial dog food, or home made dog food, there are a few things to keep in mind so you don’t end up with a fussy dog…

1. Two meals a day are sufficient for an adult dog. If you feed several small meals per day your dog may be more inclined to over eat and beg for food.

2. Whilst your dog is eating allow him some space. Dont pet him or stand watching him as this may make him feel uncomfortable. There is plenty of time to play with your dog during the rest of the day.

3. Dont let the dog dictate what you feed. If he doesn’t like it don’t instantly give him something else as he will then gradually become more fussy.

4. There’s nothing wrong with feeding your dog a varied diet, but don’t keep changing the food because he seems fussy and won’t eat it.If your dog is appearing to be fussy at meal times have a quick check to make sure that there is nothing physically wrong with him.

Remember that if your dog is normally a good eater but is suddenly refusing to eat then he may be unwell. In this case you should seek advice from a vet.

6. It is possible that your dog will develop a preference for a certain type of food.If you find that your dog really refuses to eat certain foods you may need to back down and feed him only what he likes.

7. It is not kind to give your pet human junk food, no matter how much he begs. Avoid this at all costs.

Looking after a pet is a really rewarding part of life, and caring for them is relatively straightforward but there are things to consider when buying food for your dog.The two things to focus on are quality of food and portion sizes.

If shopping for the best dog food please don’t just look at the price. Pay close attention to the ingredients as they are much more important.The benefits of feeding a good quality dog food are significant and your dog’s overall health and wellbeing will certainly be improved.When shopping for dog food make sure you check the ingredients list stated on the packaging.

It is widely acknowledged that dog’s are not vegetarian and they prefer to eat meat in their diet.In order to provide your dogs with the amount of meat it requires you should make sure that meat is the main ingredient in the food you are providing.If the ingredients list shows meat by-products don’t buy it. Meat by-products can include skin, fat, crushed bone and even feathers and offer no nutritional value.Dog food containing soya should also be avoided as research shows that an increasing number of dogs are allergic or intolerant to it.

Many pet owners look to their dog’s food to enhance a particular characteristic of the canine.For example, you can now buy dog food that has been formulated to help clean the animal’s teeth whilst she is chewing.Oils are effective at adding shine to a dog’s coat. Look for dog foods with Omega 6 and Omega 3 for achieving healthier skin.

If you have an active dog and are struggling to satisfy her appetite then you should consider purchasing foods high in both protein and carbohydrates as these will help to keeo her energy levels high.As your dog gets older you must alter the diet. An older dog does not require the same amount of caolories or carbs as a younger more active dog.
Many dog oweners prefer to buy canned dog food. This is a good option but you need to check that the main ingredient listed is not water.The only benefit of a dog food high in water is seen in your pocket. Your dog will not be eating a healthy and nutritious meal with such food.If you feed your dog a diet of good quality wet food you should combine this with a daily dry chewy product, such as a bone. This helps to exercise your dog’s jaw and can help keep teeth clean.

If you want the best for your dog’s health then you really so need to consider feeding her a premium quality, scientifically proven dog food product.The premium paid for a good quality dog food is worth it because of all the health benefits it will deliver to your beloved pet.