Taking Your Dog to the Park

March 30th ma y very well be one of Fido’s favorite days: it’s Take A Walk In the Park Day. While this occasion isn’t specifically geared towards pets, it’s probably safe to say that many of our canine patients would be more than happy to accompany their humans to parks. A Lakewood Ranch, FL vet offers some tips on this below.

K  eep Up With Preventative Care

Many dog parks have regulations stating that pooches must be current on vaccinations and parasite control. However, these are difficult to enforce. Any place with a high amount of paw traffic can present an increased risk for certain parasites, such as heartworms. Don’t take chances! Make sure that Fido is up to date with his products.

Make Sure Fido Is Wearing ID

Ideally, you’d only want to let your pup off-leash in an enclosed area. However, there’s always a chance that Fido could slip away somehow. Your four-legged pal should be microchipped and wearing current ID tags. 

Time It Right

This one isn’t much of a concern in what passes for winter around here. However, in summertime, avoid taking Fido to the park during the hottest part of the day. Wait until later—preferably after it’s rained—when it’s at least a little bit cooler.

Bring Water

Fido can overheat after just a few minutes of running and playing with his friends. Always bring water along. This applies even when you’re going to a place with a fountain. You don’t want to find yourself with a hot, thirsty pup and a fountain that’s out of order!

Be Discreet With Treats 

It may seem like the combination of treats and dog parks would make for the best day ever, as far as Fido is concerned. However, be careful about giving your canine buddy too many snacks in front of his friends. The other dogs at the park will definitely notice the goodies, which could lead to a bit of a commotion.

Have Fun

Taking your furry best friend to the park shouldn’t be something you think of as a chore. That fresh air, sunlight, and beautiful scenery will be good for you as well. You may find that you look forward to these excursions just as much as Fido does!

As your Lakewood Ranch, FL veterinary clinic, we are dedicated to offering great veterinary care. Please feel free to contact us anytime!