While the heat has us praying for the rains, the monsoon will bring its own set of challenges for pets and pet parents. Should they get raincoats for their dog to go on walks? Should they alter their diet? Do they need special grooming schedules to suit the weather? This article will guide pet parents on basic care tips in monsoon before the onset of the season-
Pet parents need to be extra careful about ticks in monsoon. Avoid tick-infested areas such as parks and bushes. Tick bites may cause life-threatening diseases like canine ehrlichiosis, babesiosis etc.
If the pet is already tick-infested one should consult their veterinarian at the earliest. The veterinarian may suggest oral, injectable or topical anti-ectoparasitic medicines or formulations. Routine blood tests from reliable veterinary diagnostic laboratories should also be performed to rule out hemoprotozoaor hemorickettsia infections.
Pets may suffer from cough and cold during the rainy season. Infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) becomes more common in dogs at this time. Proper vaccination with the concerned veterinarian’s suggestion may help to reduce the risk of infectious tracheobronchitis.
It is imperative to de-worm your pet before monsoon. Helminths (parasitic worms) may cause diarrhoea, vomiting, cachexia (loss of lean body mass) and intestinal blockage in your furry friends. So consult the veterinarian before the onset of monsoon for proper de-worming schedule.
Water-logging is a big issue in our city during monsoon and this causes water-borne diseases to peak at this time. While walking their dogs, pet parents must be careful that the dogs don’t lick dirty stagnant water.
Annual vaccination should not be delayed during monsoon. Any delay in annual vaccination may cause diseases like canine parvo virus infection, canine distemper, leptospirosis etc.
Thunderstorms may cause severe anxiety in pets. It is mandatory to keep them indoors during thunderstorms. The pets may choose for themselves a safe place like under a table or in a specific room. Medicines prescribed by the vet to relieve anxiety can be used during this time too.
Fresh food must be given to avoid unnecessary health hazards. The water bowl should also be kept clean during the day.
Regular grooming is needed to keep your pet healthy now. This will help to avoid fungal skin infections, which are notorious this season. Using anti-fungal shampoo suggested by your vet may help to keep your pet clean.
A pill for the dog The Telegraph
There are dog raincoats and the like in the market but I don’t recommend them. On rainy days don’t take pets out at all. Since regular exercise may not be possible during the rainy season try to create different indoor exercise options for different breeds.
Dachshunds, for instance, love digging. So try to create a sand-pile for him to dig through. Beagles love fetching so throw a rabbit-shaped toy repeatedly and let him fetch it for you.
For small dogs and cats, you can hang rings and let them jump through them. Golden Retrievers would love a stack of tissue rolls to jump over in a kind of obstacle course. Get creative and design such games indoors.