As summer is upon us, our pets, especially dogs, are out more than usual with the good weather smiling down on us. We love to take our dogs outdoors, to the beach, anywhere outside. Yet, as the temperature soars, dog owners need to take extra care and caution for our pups. Below is a list to help remind us even of the basics during the summer months.

The basics

Don't leave dogs in hot cars or let them walk on hot asphalt, play too hard or get too much sun. Apply flea and tick repellents, and if you're in a mosquito-prone area, you should probably talk to your vet about heartworm prevention pills. Take dogs on walks early or late to avoid midday heat and provide enough drinking water (for you and your pup).

Grooming

A dog's coat is like insulation, warding off cold in the winter and heat in the summer. Remember to trim, but don't give your dog a really short haircut or such a close shave that it takes away your pup’s protection. Dogs get sunburn and skin cancer, so never cut fur shorter than an inch. Dogs shed more in the summer, so make sure to brush your dog often to get rid of the extra fur along with fur that's matted from water play.

Heat relief

Most dogs and outdoor cats can find cool, shady spots to lie down, but some, especially animals that are overweight or can't tolerate heat, might benefit from cooling beds, mats or even vests. These mats get filled with water, which mixes with a high-tech gel to create a cool, waterbed-like cushion. Just make sure your dog doesn’t chew the cooling mat instead!

Food

No food will keep your dog cooler, but food helps keep body temperature up, so dogs may not need to eat as much in the summer. If you take your dog on a trip, you might want to consider bringing food from home. A change in diet can cause diarrhea or your pup simply might not want to eat the different food.

If you decide to have a barbecue or picnic, make sure to keep your pets inside or watch to make sure that your dogs are not eating or drinking something that is bad for them, whether it's spilled alcohol or onion dip. Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins and chocolate are the most toxic foods for dogs. It might even benefit you to keep your dog on a leash while outdoors during a picnic or barbeque.

Trips with your dogs

If you decide to take your dog on a road trip, make sure that your dog is OK in the car. Take a short trip at first if your dog isn't used to it as dogs can get car sick. This way you can see how your pup does.

On boats, consider a doggie life vest. And watch your dog to protect him or her from gasoline and other toxic products. At the beach, provide drinking water so your dog does not drink salt water.

On planes, if your pet is small enough, keep your pup in the cabin with you. Call ahead because some airlines limit animals per flight. Be prepared to pay a fee and check on necessary paperwork.

If you're boarding your dog, remember that many kennels require proof of vaccines such as rabies and kennel cough. And, of course, get recommendations on the different boarding homes.

Your lawn or neighbor’ lawns

Some lawn products are toxic to dogs and cats. Weed killers and herbicides are the worst and some can cause cancer. Some fertilizers are also toxic. All a dog or cat has to do is walk on the lawn and lick its paws to be exposed. These include herbicides, plants (hydrangea, tulips, azaleas, insecticides, mushrooms, fertilizers and cocoa mulch.

Overheating

It is fairly easy to recognize the symptoms overheating if you see it — excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, seizures, and elevated body temperatures. And, don’t think your dog will merely stop and take a break. Sometimes dogs keep running without even realizing that hey are overheated which is why you need to watch for the above signs.

Always carry water with you and sponge your dog with lukewarm water if you think your dog is overheating.

Home windows and car windows

Believe it or not, dogs and cats can escape and fall from apartment windows, roofs, balconies or fire escapes. And, of course, this can lead to an injury for your dog or cat. Use window screens, open windows from the top instead of the bottom, consider child-safety window guards.

Most dog owners know the basics and your dog will be fine in the summer months if you take the necessary precautions. Of course, we can’t watch our dogs all the time, but the above just reinforces the necessity to look out for our pups!

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Some cats love to eat and aren’t picky at all about what food is put in front of them.  And then there are other cats that are very finicky about what they eat and don’t like most food.  Or maybe your cat has suddenly shown less interest in his food and barely touches it.  If either is the case, there is probably a reason your cat suddenly has shown less interest and there are ways to get your feline friend to start eating again.

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian

The first thing you should do if your cat has stopped eating for more than a day or so is to schedule and appointment with your veterinarian to make sure he or she is in good health. If your cat has always been a good eater and suddenly loses interest, this is something to be concerned about right away. If your cat has recently lost weight or is vomiting or has diarrhea, it’s time to make a visit to the veterinarian.   Your vet can then determine if this change is a health issue and treat your kitty accordingly.

Your cat might be finicky because you are giving him or her too many treats

Once you have ruled out health issues, you might need to rethink your cat’s treats and dietary habits. If you feed your cat extra treats (or human food) during the day that can be tastier and more interesting than his or her normal food, you could get a finicky cat over time.  And, some cats will simply hold out until they are given something that just tastes better than cat food.

Here is where you need to make some changes and stop reinforcing the bad behavior.  Human foods and excessive treats only cause weight gain and don’t provide balanced nutrition for your kitty.  Try switching to a well-balanced wet food that will fill your kitty up and not leave him or her craving treats.  There are many healthy canned and dry food on the market.  You can get a recommendation from your veterinarian or someone at your local pet store.

How to switch your cat to a new food

To switch your cat to a new food, start by putting your cat's new food down for a half hour. If your kitty won't touch it during that time, pick it up, and give your cat a small amount of her usual food or something you know your cat likes. Pick it up when she stops eating, walk away, and don't leave any other food out where she can get it (no dry food left out during this process). Repeat this two or three times a day for a couple of days. Very often by the third day, your cat will be eating the new food.

If that doesn't work, try putting a very small amount of your cat’s favorite food on top of the new food. The cat will smell and taste the familiar food and a tiny bit of the new and will then make the association that the new stuff is also food. You can also try warming the food and adding tuna juice during this phase.

If your cat won’t eat the offered food, try again later. If he just won’t eat, and as long as he’s in good health, you can probably wait things out a day and usually hunger will take over. This will help encourage your cat’s appetite for his new cat food and after a short time, your kitty will learn that this food is the only food he will be getting every day.

Be patient and give your cat some time to adjust

Your cat might be smarter than you think and has stopped eating only to get extra attention from you.  Try to stay out of the area where your cat eats and give him a quiet, safe place to eat alone, away from distractions or competition from other pets. Offer his food for a short period of time and then take it away. This will teach your cat to eat at certain regular times and will provide a comforting routine.

As always, be patient with your kitty.  If you try all of the above, your cat should be eating his new food at regular meal times.  Try praising your kitty and giving your cat lavish attention when he or she eats the right food at meal time.  And, of course, always give your cat plenty of water to keep her or him hydrated.

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Most dogs, especially those that have been adopted, can be stressed out at times. There are certain trigger points that affect dogs, whether it is something in their home, outside stress or noises that cause them fear. Apparently there are about 22 million dogs that suffer from anxiety or fear, and isn’t it great to find a product that is healthy for you dog AND helps their anxious nature.

I learned of this product called LICKS for Dogs that is a mild, holistic remedy to calm over-anxious dogs. It comes in easy to use packages and can simply be added to your dog’s food and/or water.

Dogs can get stressed too

For most dogs, anything outside their day-to-day routine can be unsettling. Pets may experience elevated levels of stress during thunderstorms, fireworks and group gatherings, times of separation or when visiting the vet. And our canine companions can experience anxiety in less obvious times too when meeting new people or simply traveling.

Easy to use holistic remedy

In times of need, ZEN by LICKS for Dogs is a gentle, holistic remedy for dogs experiencing this anxiety or just feeling out of sorts. Conveniently packaged in single serving portion-controlled packets, ZEN™ liquid vitamins™ are brimming with antioxidants and premium ingredients like chamomile root, tryptophan, theanine and ashwagandha root. Simply add LICKS to your dog’s water bowl, feed straight from the packet, or serve as an delicious, nutritional gravy to top off his food. And because LICKS for Dogs health supplements are in liquid form, they’re more readily absorbed than tablets or chews and take effect just 30 to 60 minutes after serving.

Comes in easy to use packages

Made with an exceptional blend of all natural ingredients, LICKS® is a transformational canine health supplement and treat. Not only does it taste unbelievably delicious to dogs, but it also allows owners to provide their companions with a healthy, easy to administer supplement and treat.  The effortless, convenient packaging gives pet owners several options to administer to their canine best friend.  The packet can be added to their pooch’s food or water bowl or directly from the packet either at home or on the go.

Licks for Dogs also comes in joint and heart formula and athlete

The joint and heart  formula is packed with Omega 3 fatty acids, vegetarian Glucosamine, and Vitamin E.   It integrates seamlessly with your pooches food or water to help ensure he or she receives the daily supplements needed to maintain heart and joint health.

If your dog is athletic or just getting older, a hike or run can be tough on our pups. The licks Athlete formula helps dogs during and after their more athletic outings.  It also can help the serious canine athletes participating in agility, lure coursing, hunting, search and rescue, and/or field trials.  It contains a complex carbohydrate energy source and L-carnitine blend combine to maximize muscular function and recovery; antioxidants help limit free radical damage, and omega 3 fatty acids support joint and cartilage health.

We like to take care of our own stress and body, isn’t it time we look out for our dogs?  You can find Licks at: LickDrinksforDogs or on Facebook: Licks for Dogs.

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If you have just adopted a dog and this is a first time for you, you are probably excited and nervous.  As with any new pet, it does take a little time to adjust.  But, with patience and preparation, the new addition to your family will be happy in no time.  Of course, this could apply to cats too, but dogs are a little more work (sometimes).

1. Buy your pet supplies in advance

When you bring your new dog home, make sure to have all your supplies ready for your pup.  Make sure to buy a leash, some dog food, a water bowl and then, of course, a toy or two.  And order an identification tag.   Some shelters will recommend or already have a pet identification chip implanted in your pup which is always a good idea so you can always find him if he runs away.

2. Make sure to bring your dog home when you have time to bond

When you bring your newly adopted dog home, make sure it is when you have some time.  If you work during the week, it might be a good idea to bring the dog home over the weekend when you can spend some time with him or her.  It is important to have some initial bonding time with your new found pet.  If you have other pets, you might want to separate them for a while until everyone gets to know each other.

3. Take your dog to the Vet for a check up

When you bring a dog home from a shelter, many of the shelters and/or rescue groups are really great about giving your pups the shots they need.  However, if it is an older dog, the shelter might not have the exact medical records for your pup, so it is best to bring your dog the vet.  Further, if you have other pets at home, make sure they are all up to date on their shots and vaccinations.

If your dog has not been spayed or neutered, make the appointment as soon as possible.  There are too many homeless puppies and dogs which is why you adopted your dog from a shelter in the first place! Your veterinarian will let you know when is the best time to spray or neuter your dog.

4. Your dog will need to training and discipline

Dogs need rules and a semblance of order.  Make sure your dog knows that you are the ‘boss’ from the start.  If you catch your pup doing something you don’t want him to do, don’t get angry.  Simply let your dog know right away in a disapproving voice that he or she has misbehaved.  On the flip side, make sure to reward your dog for doing the right thing with love and praise.  It is also recommended to enroll your dog in a dog obedience training or group.  A well trained dog is a happy dog.

5. Your dog might not be housetrained

When you bring home a dog from a shelter, he or she might need a housetraining reminder.  If you haven’t housetrained a dog before, you can get some tips on how to housetrain your dog from your trainer or from the rescue group.  Like all training, be consistent, do NOT get angry if your dog has an accident and praise your dog for eliminating in the correct places.

6. Crate Training

People and dog advocates have different thoughts on crate training.  Some dog owners don’t like the idea of putting a dog in a crate.  But, it really is more of a room for your dog.  It certainly makes housetraining a lot easier.  And the crate does not have to be for the entire day, just a few hours a date.  If you decide to go this route, make sure that the crate does not have wire where your dog’s paws will get caught and it should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and sit comfortably.  If crating isn’t an option for you, try another kind of confinement to a dog-proofed part of your home, such as a kitchen or family room.

7. Make sure to give your dog plenty of exercise

When bringing your new dog home, you need to make sure to you give your dog plenty of exercise and game time.  Take your dog on a run or walk with you.  Go to the dog park and throw a Frisbee or twig; get your new pup up and out.  If you go on an outing, take your dog with you.  This will give your new pup a sense of freedom and fun.

8. Patience and understanding

The most important thing you can do for your dog is to be patient and understanding in your expectations.  Remember that this is a big (but great) adjustment for your dog so you will need to give your pup a little time to acclimate.  But with love, caring and understanding, your dog will be a new happy member of your family in no time!

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