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Small Animal Medicine & Surgery
Call us today! 704-636-6613
Call us today! 704-636-6613

3200 Sherrills Ford Road
Salisbury, NC 28147

Safety Tips For The Dog Park

September 15 2021

Does your dog get super excited when he hears the word ‘park?’ The dog park may very well be one of Fido’s favorite spots. It’s great for your canine friend to be able to run and play off-leash. However, you will need to take some precautions to keep your pup safe. A local vet offers some tips on this below.


Precautions

First things first! Before taking Fido to the park, make sure that your pooch obeys simple commands, like Sit, Stay, Come, and Heel. Fido should also be microchipped and wearing proper ID tags. You can never be too careful!


Preventative Care

Keep up with your furry friend’s parasite control and vaccinations. We can’t overstate how important this is! Dog parks can be hot spots for heartworms, which are carried directly from dog to dog via everyone’s favorite insect, the mosquito. Fido could also pick up fleas, ticks, or other dangerous parasites. Ask your vet for more information.


Water

Dogs can get dehydrated very quickly running and playing. Many dog parks have faucets or spigots available. Some even have fountains for their furry guests to play in. However, you should always bring water for your pup. Get into the habit of keeping a gallon or two in your car. That way, if there is no water available, your canine buddy will still get the hydration he needs. This is also good to have on hand in case of emergencies.


Discretion

Dogs can get quite jealous and competitive with one another. You might want to try working on Fido’s training at the park, but be careful. If your pet’s playmates notice those dog biscuits you brought, you could find yourself at the center of a ruckus!


Playmates

Your pet will both enjoy and benefit from being able to interact and play with other pups. That socialization is very important for Man’s Best Friend, both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that all of the dogs at the park will be gentle and well-behaved. Keep an eye out for aggressive pups, and/or females in heat. That situation can create a lot of tension and bickering, especially among pooches that haven’t been fixed.


Time It Right

We’re moving into fall now, and the hottest part of the year is behind us. However, you’ll still need to pay attention to the weather. When it’s hot out, don’t bring Fido to the park in the middle of the day. Go in the mornings or evenings, when it’s cooler.


Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local animal clinic, we are here to help!

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