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There's nothing more fun than a jaunt outdoors with your pet. Here's how to make your outing easier and safer.
Contact the area to see if a permit is needed and obtain one if you need to.
Learn about the available hikes in the area so you don't exceed your pet's abilities.
Check the weather, terrain, wildlife, and trail conditions. Pay close attention to the weather forecast as conditions can change quickly.
If you are going to use a pack for your pet, acclimate your pet to it first.
Pack extra food and water for your pet in case of delays.
If hunting is in season, make sure to put a bright orange or red scarf on your pet.
Even if you do not plan on keeping your pet leashed, bring a leash. You never know when you will need it.
Carry bear spray if you will be in bear country.
Follow all rules.
Even if not required, we strongly recommend keeping your pet leashed to avoid its temptation to exploring motions and scents causing its escape.
If you are using a pet pack and going by creeks, seal the contents in bags.
Pack out everything you pack in.
Have your pet defecate off the trails.
Don't allow your pet to trample vegetation, dig, or chase or hunt wildlife.
Don't allow your pet to run up to people or challenge other pets.
Step off the trail to let horses or people pass.
Don't allow your dog to bark unnecessarily.
Watch for effects of heat and carry 8 ounces of water for every hour of planned hiking. Always give water.
Don't allow pets to drink from sea or surface water as it may be contaminated. Watch for symptoms of giardia such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and loss of appetite.
Avoid hiking from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., the hottest part of the day. This is particular important in June through August.
Allow 1/3 of your total time to hike down and 2/3 to hike up.
National lands
Rules vary depending on the type of national land.
After any outdoor activity, check your pet for burrs and seeds.
Cactus, stinging nettle, and thorns - For obvious reasons, make sure pets steer clear of these.
Foxtails - These can be lethal if they get stuck in your pet. Make sure you check your pet from head to toe for these after coming inside. They can stick in pet's eyes, nose, ears, between toes, or in the mouth. Once stuck if left intact they will work their way in to your pet.
Mushrooms - Be careful. Many of these can be toxic to pets if ingested.
Poison ivy, oak, and sumac. - If your pet contacts, do not pet them until they have been bathed. Bath any pet that has contacted these with rubber gloves to avoid transfer to you.
Hazardous plants. The following are widely considered to be hazardous to pets and contact with your pet should be avoided.
Be particularly careful if you have an old or young pet as they are more sensitive to heat. Flat-faced pets like Pekingese, Persians, and Pugs are particularly vulnerable.
Stay within your pet's heat tolerance and make certain to ease your pet back in to your summer exercise routine gradually.
Watch for signs of heat stress - flushing of inside of ears, heavy panting, thickened saliva, and thirst. If you notice these, reduce activity and cool pet down.
Heat stroke is a true emergency. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, high body temperature, rapid breathing, vomiting, and ultimately collapse. If you believe that your pet has heat stroke:
Limit exposure to the sun and particularly avoid the hours from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Light-skinned and pink-nosed pets can get sunburn especially easily. Use sunscreen particularly on ears, nose, and any shaved spots 30 minutes before going outside. Special pet sunscreen is available.
Always provide shade and water. Remember that shade always moves.
Unless recommended by your vet, do not shave your pet's hair. The hair serves as insulation from the heat.
Do keep your pet's hair brushed so it can breathe. Also keep it clear of mats and tangles.
Change your pet's water more frequently as bacteria breed more rapidly in warm weather.
Let your pet walk through a sprinkler or a kiddy pool with a few inches of water. Never leave a pet unattended near a filled kiddy pool as small pets can drown in there.
Make sure any paved surface or sand you are going on is not too hot for your pet's paws.
Wildlife encounters
Be particularly careful if you have an old or young pet as they are more sensitive to cold.
Remember that you can exercise your pet indoors as well!
Be even more vigilant about using leashes during winter as snow and ice can cause pets to lose their scent and become lost.
Do not use metal choke or prong collars in cold weather. We do not recommend using them in any weather but pets can have health issues related to cold weather use.
For very little or short-haired pets, consider a sweater or other clothing.
Watch for hypothermia
Low body temperature, decreased breathing rate, shivering, weakness, and lethargy are all signs.
If you believe your pet is affected, move it to a shelter or inside and wrap it in a sleeping bag or blankets and gently rub. Seek veterinary assistance.
Do not use an electric heating pad.
Pets can get frostbite. Ears, legs, paws, and tails are the most common areas. Frostbitten skin is red or gray.
Use booties to prevent ice from forming between your pet's toes. If you do not use booties and ice has formed, paws can be dipped in warm water to remove.
Rinse your pet's paws when they have walked on surfaces with salt or deicers. If they have been on these surfaces, do not let your pet lick its paws before you rinse them.
Avoid having pets outside for prolonged periods when temperature is below 20 degrees.
Snow is not a source of drinking water. Make sure your pet has access to fresh water and use caution when placing metal bowls out in freezing weather as pet's tongues can stick.
Watch closely for antifreeze, spilled or stored. Very tiny amounts can be fatal in a very short amount of time. If you suspect your pet has ingested an amount, seek veterinary help immediately. Drunkenness or vomiting are two symptoms of this poisoning.
Be on the lookout for predators. Normally shy animals could come out for food.
Be careful around ponds, streams, and lakes. Pets can drown in water that is only partially frozen.
Avoid backcountry walks due to avalanche danger.
Dry your pet thoroughly after cold weather outdoor fun.
Watch out for dry skin. To help keep skin moisturized, cut back on baths, increase brushing, and increase fat in diet. Use a moisturizing shampoo in your pet's bath.
Incorrect or missing information? Please contact us and let us know.
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