The sweltering heat is showing signs of being on the wane, and the monsoons are almost at the door. If you have a dog, here are a few things you can do to make sure the monsoon goes by without a hitch.

Keep that fur dry

The damp air and wetness can cause a lot of issues for your dog, from skin issues to infections. Keeping your pooch’s skin and fur dry and well maintained will not only keep them healthy, but will also decrease the stink that they are predisposed to. After each walk, make sure to completely dry their fur and paws to prevent any health issues.

Wet walks

It gets difficult to go out for walks in the wet weather, but exercise is a must. Try to choose times when the rain takes a break. Your dog will likely be housebound a lot more for the next few months, so let them enjoy their outings while they can. Preparing a raincoat for you and your dog (please don’t share one between you both!), will ensure that the walk is still enjoyable even if rain resumes midway. There will be times when the pouring rain will delay walks for a long time. To ensure that your dog can at least comfortably relieve itself, consider investing in a pee pad for emergencies.

Tics and fleas

Walks outside will invite ticks and fleas in every season, so take care to be extra cautious and vigilant. You can consult a vet for the best bug repellants and treatments specific for your dog.

Fun in the rain

If your dog loves splashing about in the rain, allow them to have their fun sometimes (under your supervision). Make sure that your dog isn’t drinking rain water or rolling about in tall grass and big piles of leaves – these are the homes of pathogens and ticks/fleas. As it would be quite a task to clean your dog post this little adventure, consider letting them have their time in the rain on a day you had anyway planned to give them a bath.

Food and nutrition

Keep an eye on what your pet is eating. As physical exercise will decrease a little, increasing fibrous food in your dog’s diet will ensure that your dog doesn’t face issues with going to the bathroom. Also, do not give your dog tap water, which has risks of carrying water-borne diseases. Please give them boiled water that you would have yourself.

Check for infections

Ear infections are common for dogs at this time of the year. Please make sure to dry your dog’s ears after every bath and frolic in the rain, and keep them clean in general. Dogs with long and closed ears tend to accumulate moisture easily, and have a greater risk of getting infected.

Warm bed and blankets

Monsoon showers can get cold and drafty, and can even get painful for dogs with ailments. Keep your dog’s bed warm and dry, and clean it regularly. Get them a blanket to keep them toasty, and make sure to keep the bed away from the path of any cold drafts. If your dog is old and/or with joint pain, make sure to get the vet’s recommendation for the best bed for them.

Visit the vet

To prepare your dog for the months of rain, it will help to visit the vet in advance. Discuss your dog’s dietary needs, deworming, disease and tick prevention, and more. Ask the vet for their advice on what you need to keep in mind to ensure that your dog gets through the monsoon season safely and happily.