Taking Fido to the Park

March 30th is Take A Walk In The Park Day! This isn’t officially a pet holiday, but it’s certainly one that our canine patients will appreciate. Here, a Dutchess County, NY vet discusses taking Fido to the park.

Keep Up With Preventative Care

Dog parks can be great, but they can also be hotspots when it comes to things like fleas, ticks, and worms. Keep up with Fido’s parasite control and vaccinations. Your furry best friend should also be microchipped and wearing proper ID tags.

Be Discreet With Goodies

Bringing toys or treats to a park may seem like a great way to turn Fido’s Tuesday afternoon into the Best Day Ever. However, you’ll need to be discreet here. If you start handing out snacks, you will soon attract the attention of Fido’s friends. This could cause a bit of a disturbance, as many of the dogs will want to compete for the treats. This also applies to any food you bring along for yourself.

Mind The Heat

Our canine companions can overheat very quickly on hot days. Always bring water along for your pooch. We recommend this even if you are going to a park that has a fountain or spigot: you don’t want to be empty handed if the water is out of order. You may want to get some collapsible doggy dishes, which are lightweight and easy to carry.

Bring A Friend

The coronavirus has certainly curbed a lot of social events over the past year. Meeting a friend at the park is a great way to catch up, while following social distancing guidelines. Set up some playdates with friends or family members. It’s even better if they have dogs of their own!

Vet Fido’s Playmates

When you get to the park, take a look around, and see if there are any dogs that are acting aggressive or bullying

Alterna  te Options

While p arks are great for many dogs, they aren’t the best option for every pooch. Some pups just don’t play well with others. Others have strong prey drive, or just act aggressive with other dogs. Dogs with these traits may still be wonderful pets and companions. However, they may not be a great fit for dog parks. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Do you need to make an appointment for your dog? Contact us, your local vet hospital, today!