Everything is melting!

It's that time of year. The weather is warming and things are melting and all that was hidden in mounds of snow is coming out. It gets muddy and messy and the dogs love it! A few things become quite important this time of year. Let's look at those.

Grooming
Grooming is important as everything melts. In multi-coated dogs the change in weather also triggers a change in coat and shedding begins in earnest. Baths and brushing help to get that loose hair out to keep your pet comfortable and to prevent matting.

The damper, dirtier conditions tend to cause matting in all coats so grooming can help to prevent hot spots as it reduces the chance of damp hair being trapped against the skin. Regular baths are also helpful in general as everything in the snow is released as it melts so mud also carries some of the smellier, less pleasant things that get trapped in the winter.

Health and Safety
Dogs sniff everything and many will put most things in their mouths. Remember that as the snow melts, everything that was in it comes out. When out for walks, especially in the city where there is more exhaust, spills, and general detritus, don't allow your pups to drink from puddles. Keep an eye out for small items (broken glass, sharp rocks, bits of metal) that the snow might reveal that can get caught in pads. Booties are still a good idea this time of year to help prevent damaged paws before everything gets cleaned up.

Bugs
As the weather warms we get closer to bug season. It's a good time to stock up on preventatives like bug sprays and tick prevention. Lice and ticks are very contagious and can spread from dog to dog, or dog to another surface (grass is a huge culprit) and then to another dog. If you like to take hikes or go to dog parks or other significantly outdoor activities, it's a good time to check your kit and restock on your bug sprays and the like. Good news! BowDog carries a line of bug sprays and other deterrents made for us by All Things Jill. Come check it out!