When it comes to our dogs, we want to give them only the best. After all, our dogs quickly become members of our family and we want them to be as happy and healthy as they can be for as long as possible. Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy into your home or adopting an older dog, many of their needs are the same. This summer, make sure you plan ahead and have the supplies you need on hand to give your furry companion the best care possible. Let’s be honest; there are a ridiculous amount of doggy items out there for sale. Businesses know that people love their pets and will spoil them rotten if given the chance. Does your dog need a raincoat to go out and do its business during a summer storm? No, not really. Dogs have done fine for centuries with their natural coats, though they do look ridiculously cute in people clothes.
Rather than focus on the fun, superfluous things, let’s take a look at some must have items that you should buy for your dog this summer:
Heartworm Prevention Medication
You definitely want to invest in heartworm prevention medication. Heartworms are a leading cause of illness and even death in dogs because they are the primary carriers of the parasite. Dogs generally develop heartworms after mosquitoes that are carrying heartworm larvae bite them. It then takes the better part of a year before you begin to notice any kinds of symptoms. Because the summer is when mosquitoes are out in full force, you want to make sure you’re giving your dog its heartworm prevention medication in a timely manner.
Flea and Tick Prevention
Another important thing to buy is a good flea and tick prevention product. Since you’ll most likely let your dog have free run of the backyard for the next few months, it’s important that you help your pooch ward off some of the more obnoxious and potentially dangerous pests that will want to get into your dog’s fur for a quick meal (or worse, hang around and infest your home). Fleas are a nuisance that can quickly go from pestering your dog to pestering your other pets and you. Ticks, as everyone knows, can be quite dangerous because of their tendency to carry disease, particularly Lyme disease. With a good prevention product that goes right on your dog’s coat, you can reduce the chances that they’ll get sick due to these obnoxious insects.
New Leash
It’s a good idea to invest in a new leash when the summer begins. You’re going to be walking your dog a lot and you want to make sure you’re using a leash that is comfortable and still in good shape. Old leashes can break, easily creating chaos that both you and your dog will want to avoid. Well, okay, maybe the dog won’t care. In fact while its running as free as can be and loving life, you’ll be screaming and giving chase. So let’s put it this way; for your own sanity, buy a new leash so you know you’ll always have a good grip on your dog.
Featured images:
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License: Creative Commons image source
By Sammy S, an owner of a purebred black lab looking forward to taking him out to the beach!
