This Saturday, April 6th, the Fox Valley Dog Walking Club will be meeting at the Aurora West Forest Preserve located at 40W244 Hankes Road in Aurora, Illinois for their 10:00 a.m. Saturday Morning Hike. The Dog Walking Club will still meet at this off-leash dog park this weekend; their winter destination from autumn through winter. New locations will be announced as they are determined.
This weekend in the Chicagoland suburbs, the weather should be a pleasant 60 degrees, although may prove cloudy. At least the chill and the snow will no longer be present. Perhaps some spring flowers may grace us with their lovely heads! With the warmer weather approaching, don’t forget to be on the lookout for spring pests that pose an issue for your pets. Now is the time for you to be mindful of the length of time that your canine spends outside as spring weather tends to be quite volatile.
Be careful what flowers and other vegetation that you introduce into your yard. Make certain that the plants will not pose any harm to your beloved furry best friend. You do not want toxins present where your canine is concerned.
As your dog spends more time outdoors, they should be equipped with flea and tick protection as well as being up-to-date on their heartworm treatment and other vaccinations. You want your pock to remain safe and healthy out in the open.
If you are a lover of the great outdoors and plan to bring it inside by opening your windows, make certain that your dog is unable to jump or leap out of the windows. Safety first!
Illinois House of Representatives Daniel V. Beiser and Daniel J. Burke have sponsored a new bill that is currently in front of the Illinois General Assembly that is to stipulate fines for drivers allowing their dog in their lap while they are maneuvering their vehicle. It is very important that you do not allow your dog in the bed of a pickup, to stick their head out of a moving car window or to sit on your lap. Safety devices are available and should be utilized to keep pets safe in a motor vehicle.
Many homeowners spring clean. Make certain to keep cleaning chemicals out of your dog’s reach. Paints and other chemicals can cause severe reactions to your dog’s skin.
Speaking of skin, allergy season is returning! If your dog begins to lick his or her paws incessantly, gets ear infections and chews on his or her legs, they may be reacting to pollen and plants in the neighborhood. Check with your vet about recommending some assistance for your beloved pet.
For double-coated dogs, the spring and summertime weather may pose further issues. These dogs can easily become overheated and dehydrate. Be careful with the amount of time that your pet remains in the sun.
If your pet does not have a microchip implant, get one! If they have one, make certain that you have paid for the annual registration fee. You just never know when a squirrel will tempt your pooch to run after them! Also make certain that your dog has a collar with identifying tags and updated rabies tags just in case your dog does get away; he or she can easily be returned.
Lastly, if your pet has not been spayed or neutered, get them spayed or neutered! This upfront protection will ensure that more animals do not end up homeless – in shelters or rescues such as the North Shore Animal League of America.
Go ahead and get out with your pet, but make certain that you pay dutiful attention to your canine so that they remain safe. Have fun!
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