Posts in Category: Seasonal Pet Care

It’s tempting to bring Fido with you everywhere you go, especially during the summertime. The gray days of winter are over and everything is green, vibrant, and ready for adventure. But here in Indiana, our sticky summer days can soar to 80° Fahrenheit or higher—which feels a lot hotter when you factor in the humidity. 

On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car will rise to about 102 degrees within 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked. After 30 minutes, the air inside the car can hit 120 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), hundreds of pets die in hot cars every year.  

Most pet owners develop a certain mindset regarding their pet’s overall health and safety. The concept of “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong” might not necessarily be the healthiest or most sustainable, but it can serve to keep pets as safe as possible. Regarding antifreeze poisoning in pets, being able to assess a pet’s risk of exposure is an important key. It’s also essential to know what the symptoms are and what to do if your pet ever shows signs of poisoning.

If you are like most pet owners, you’re always on the lookout for new and interesting items for your pet. It is crucial to encourage play and problem solving at home, but that doesn’t mean all toys and games are fun or satisfying to your pet. In fact, many commercially available products have become sort of humdrum or lackluster, in part because you’ve already bought them for your pet. The pet industry continues to evolve and we’ve got the skinny on this year’s trending pet toys.

There is always a risk that traveling with pets can cause a little bit of stress for your furry friends. Flying with pets definitely presents its own set of challenges, but with a little bit of planning, this experience can be fun and safe for everyone.

For better preparations, add the following tips to your list, pronto!

In the absence of an efficient cooling system, dogs require special attention to fluctuating internal body temperatures. This is especially true during the hottest summer days, and even more so in dogs with dark fur coats, or thick double coats. Since they are covered with thousands of hair follicles, dogs sweat through their paws, nose, and tongue. 

If you have never encountered a pet who is suffering from a reverse sneeze episode before, it can be pretty disconcerting. Is that dramatic display of snorting and gagging something to consider a pet emergency, though? Dupont Veterinary Clinic has the answers to your burning questions about the dreaded reverse sneeze. 

It’s odd that the ways in which we celebrate the holidays are also responsible for negatively impacting pet health. Between the foods, guests, and routine disruptions, pets are inadvertently placed in the crosshairs. To counteract the effect that the seasonal holidays have on our ability to mitigate disaster, we offer this guide to holiday pet safety. The more you can stay in front of at home, the better. 

Many of our pets seem to act like they’re impervious to the negative effects of cold weather, but overexposure to ice, snow, and frigid ground conditions can have serious consequences.

Similar to the defenses against scorching pavement in summertime, winter paw care takes our attention to a whole new level. Without a daily approach to injury prevention, damage to a pet’s feet can stand in the way of a high quality of life.

Enjoying Winter’s Charms

It can be simply magical to walk your dog in the snow. Many breeds are built for cold conditions, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need special attention before, during, and after time spent outdoors. Without a doubt, all animals are subject to damaging effects of cold weather and require proactive care.

Many of us struggle with winter weight gain, and our pets may be no different. Whether the struggle lies in preventing it or shedding it afterwards, winter weight gain is a concern for pets because a few extra pounds can cause secondary health concerns like joint problems, diabetes, and even heart disease, to name a few.

Dupont Veterinary Clinic knows that winter is coming, and there’s no better time to prepare for how to keep pet winter weight gain at bay. Keep reading for our best tips and ideas. 

The crisp autumn air is a refreshing change from the stifling Indiana summer, and for many of us fall is a favorite time of year. 

Pets enjoy the cooler weather too, but autumn brings with it a whole new crop of dangers for our four-legged family members. We know your pet’s health and safety is your top priority, which is why we are starting the season off with a fall pet safety review!