We aren’t the only ones who love summer. Our pets enjoy the season’s long days and outdoor activities, too. A few simple steps can keep everyone healthy and happy.

Cool Pets

Start with drinking water. The more active your dog or cat, the more she needs extra water, preferably chemical-free spring or filtered water. Water can be delivered in a bowl, pet water dispenser, or travel canteen.

Look for electrolyte-enhanced drinks for canine athletes and pets recovering from illness or dehydration.

Summer Safety for Pets

One reason hot weather is hard on pets is because they can’t cool themselves by perspiring through the skin the way humans do. Their only sweat glands are on their paw pads and noses. High humidity interferes with the cooling effects of panting. 

Veterinarians advise against leaving pets (especially those that are very young, very old, weak, ill, overweight, or breeds with snub noses such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs) outdoors in hot, humid weather.

To avoid heat-related problems, exercise in the early morning or evening. Substitute gentle walks for hard runs. Stop whenever your dog seems tired or is panting heavily.

Swimming or splashing in a lake, river, ocean, or even backyard wading pool can help keep your dog cool. But be sure to rinse your dog’s coat after swimming in a chemically treated pool or saltwater.

Never leave your pet in a parked car on a sunny day or during hot weather, even with the windows open, even for a few minutes. 

Keep pets indoors and cool on hot, humid days. Offer them a frozen water bottle, such as a water-filled plastic bottle, to help keep them cool in hot weather. Some dogs love to sleep on frozen water bottles, while others use them as pillows.

Repelling Pests

If a honeybee (which leaves its stinger behind) attacks your pet, gently flick the stinger away with your fingernail or use tweezers to remove it. Don’t squeeze or press the stinger, which can release more venom. Rinse the sting with cider vinegar or strongly brewed chamomile tea. A single drop of full-strength or diluted essential oil of chamomile or tea tree oil can be safely applied to a bite or sting on most adult dogs (always avoid the eye area). But this disinfecting treatment cannot be used on cats, very small dogs, or young puppies.

Whenever fleas are a problem, combing with a flea comb removes shedding hair along with these parasites and their eggs. Also spray the animal and pet bedding with natural products containing neem (gentle to pets but toxic to parasites) to prevent infestations. Neem can help keep your dog free from fleas, ticks, lice, mites, flies, and mosquitoes.

Other Seasonal Concerns

Did you know that pets need sunscreen, too? Light-haired dogs and cats can get sunburned if exposed to too much midday sun. Sunblock can be applied to the tips of the ears, tip of the nose, and skin around the animal’s lips to help prevent sunburn, pain, and peeling.

Many dogs develop ear infections during summer months. Although chronic ear infections are common in long-eared swimming dogs like Labrador and Golden Retrievers, they can occur in any breed.

To prevent yeasty-smelling ears, rinse or clean your dog’s ears with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. This lowers the ear’s pH, making it less hospitable to yeast. Or use an herbal ear oil or ear treatment to keep your pet’s ears clean and healthy.

To treat ear infections and other allergy symptoms from the inside out, add a probiotic supplement to your dog’s food. Many probiotics are labeled for veterinary use, but any human probiotic can be adapted for pets.

Determine an approximate dose by dividing your pet’s weight in pounds by 100. For example, a 50-pound dog would take half the label’s recommended dose, while a 10-pound cat or rabbit would need one-tenth the label dose. Because probiotics are very safe and there is no toxic dose, larger amounts are well tolerated.

Digestive enzymes added to your pet’s food help strengthen the immune system by improving digestion and the assimilation of nutrients.

Natural Pet Remedies & Treatments

In case your dog overdoes exercise, treat acute, new injuries with cold, and treat chronic, old injuries, soreness, or joint pain with warmth.

Homeopathic arnica preparations reduce pain and swelling.

As dogs age or recover from injuries, their joints can hurt or their body alignment can be thrown out of balance. Systemic oral enzyme supplements and anti-inflammatory herbs, including boswellia, devil’s claw, feverfew, and yucca, can help older dogs remain active and reduce the risk of injury in all dogs. Look for products labeled for pet use or adjust the label dose of human supplements, based on your pet’s weight.

The rapid growth of canine sports is making rehabilitation medicine a veterinary specialty. Acupressure, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic adjustments, and physical therapy all can help your pet.

Cats and dogs experience many of the same health benefits of taking an omega-3 supplement as humans do. The source and quality matter as much for them as they do for us.

Omega 3s include alpha linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA is prevalent in plant-based sources, including seeds and nuts. EPA and DHA, the two most health-promoting omega 3s, are found in animal sources, especially fish oil. 

How Do Omega 3s Help Cats and Dogs?

EPA and DHA help support healthy joints, skin and coat, the heart and kidneys, cell formation, immune function, digestive health, and more in both dogs and cats. DHA is important for kittens and puppies, as it is crucial for the development of tissue in the brain and retina of the eye. It also supports cognitive, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in growing dogs.

Fish Oil Is the Best Source of Omega 3s

Dogs and cats (like humans) simply cannot rely on the plant-based omega 3 ALA to meet their needs for EPA and DHA. Although plant-based ALA may be converted into EPA and DHA under optimal conditions, cats and dogs can only convert a very small percentage. Fish oil is a much better choice for meeting pets’ needs.

Good Sources for Fish Oil

Not all fish oil is the same. It’s important to know what to look for to ensure optimal health benefits for your dogs and cats.

Ideal sources of EPA and DHA for pets are fish oils sourced from wild-caught, sustainable fish like sardines, anchovies, and Arctic cod that have been purified of mercury and other environmental toxins.

The bioavailability of omega-3 fish oil supplements is equally important. Fish oils are best absorbed and assimilated when in the natural triglyceride form.

Fish oils produced in a 100 percent oxygen-free environment result in a pleasant-smelling, great-tasting oil that even finicky cats and dogs easily take to. Never underestimate the importance of palatability.

These are just some of the reasons we suggest pet guardians choose Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet and Nordic Naturals Pet Cod Liver Oil for their cats and dogs. These omega-3 fish oils are human-grade oils that meet or exceed international standards for purity and freshness, are third-party tested and do not contain flavorings.

Omega-3 Enriched Commercial Pet Foods May Not Provide Enough

Although many pet food companies recognize the importance of including high quality omega-3 oils in their products, doing so presents a challenge. Because omega-3 oils can become unstable when heated or exposed to oxygen, including them can result in a shorter shelf life for commercial pet foods. Therefore, many companies choose to include plant-based omega-3s or highly processed fish oil in their pet foods.

For this reason, combined with the abundance of omega-6s in the pet food, it is vital for pet guardians to supplement their cat's or dog's diet with high-quality omega-3 fish oils.

Do Not Give Your Dog or Cat Omega-3 Fish Oils for Humans!

While it is very important to give your dog or cat human-grade fish oils, it is equally important to give them one made especially for pets. Both federal and state regulations dictate special requirements for pet supplements, which are not required for their human counterparts.

Omega-3 fish oil products for humans often contain rosemary as a natural preservative and this ingredient may not be well tolerated or safe for cats and dogs. Many omega-3 products for humans also contain flavorings that may not be safe for animal consumption. Another issue of concern is the concentration of vitamins A and D contained in human products, which could in some instances be toxic to particular breeds. For these reasons it is important to only give your dog or cat an omega-3 fish oil supplement made especially for pets.

Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. If a product features a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic seal, it means that the pet food was made without the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or growth hormones.
    
2. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which inspects pet food manufacturing plants, defines the term “natural” as meaning unprocessed, or not processed using synthetic chemicals, and not containing synthetic chemical additives.
    
3. Note the first five ingredients on a label. They should supply proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
    
4. Products that contain omega-3 fatty acids may benefit pets in many ways. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that dog food with omega-3 fatty acids sourced from fish oil can improve your pooch’s immune response, beautify his skin, and make his coat shiny. For cats, omega 3s can reduce pain from feline degenerative joint disease (DJD).
    
5. Before feeding your furry friend anything new, check with your vet. Whether you’re serving organic and natural food for the first time, or just changing brands, make the switch gradually. Every day, over a period of 7 to 10 days, mix a little more of the new into the old, so your pet can get used to it.

Periodontal disease is the most common companion animal disease. In fact, 80 percent of dogs have some degree of periodontal disease by age 4.

The disease begins with gingivitis, an inflammation of gum tissue near the tooth base related to the build-up of dental plaque (tartar) on the tooth surface. Plaque-causing bacteria secrete enzymes that irritate the gum tissue. Tartar becomes mineralized; this is called “dental calculus.” Calculus is cement-like and almost impossible to scrape off unless the animal is sedated. The most obvious symptom you’ll encounter at this time is bad breath. Other symptoms include discolored teeth, red or bleeding gums, pawing at the mouth, and/or head shyness. 

Inflammation is the normal response to infection. The gum tissue recognizes pathogens are present and attempts to neutralize them. At this point, professional dental cleaning, followed by daily oral hygiene prevents gingivitis from progressing. 

If gingivitis does progress, gum infection weakens tooth attachments, causing extreme pain. Now your pet has periodontal disease, which is irreversible. Eventually, part of the jaw bone is resorbed; the tooth attachment dies and the tooth falls out. Abscesses and ulcers in the mouth, swollen gums, and loose, broken, decaying teeth can also occur. Symptoms include halitosis, anorexia, weight loss, excessive drooling, nasal discharge, and personality changes including short temper, growling/snapping, fatigue, and disinterest in activities that the animal used to enjoy. The reason for this is that eating—typically the highlight of a dog’s day—has been turned into a painful experience. 

The bacteria which cause canine gingivitis are mainly Porphyromonas sp., some of which leave a characteristic black pigment on the tooth surface. Untreated periodontal disease allows oral bacteria that are inhaled or swallowed to colonize other organs. Porphyromonas infections can cause heart, kidney or liver disease, all of which can be fatal. 

In the wild, canines chew entire carcasses. Bones are crunched immediately or cached for later gnawing. Teeth are also scraped by tough hides, feathers, tendons, cartilage, and other connective tissue. Like it or not, companion animals that hunt keep their teeth cleaner. If this isn’t an option, then you must replicate daily tooth scraping. 

Most dogs enjoy a fresh bone slice filled with marrow. If you’re concerned about pathogens, freeze bones. On hot days when my dogs are disinclined toward exercise, dinner is just a “bonesicle” under a tree. There are bone substitutes available as well.

Bones are fine, but are not for every day; nor are they necessarily acceptable for aging, sensitive, toy or miniature dogs, or dogs that already have periodontal issues. If your dog allows it, you can brush her teeth every other day. Alternatively, toothpaste chews are an excellent solution. You can add protection with enzyme-based powders that mix in drinking water. The enzymes keep Porphyromonas and other plaque-causing bacteria from adhering to teeth, but will not remove calculus. 

Remedies for Smelly Dog Breath

• Ginger

  This root herb is used the world over to quell upset stomachs, which can cause bad breath. Try adding a quarter teaspoon of grated fresh ginger to food daily, depending on the dog’s size, or a similar amount of ginger powder.

• Peppermint Essential Oil

  Peppermint not only soothes stomach upset but also freshens breath. Try putting just a drop of pure essential oil of peppermint into your dog’s drinking water.

• Probiotics

  These digestion-friendly bacteria help promote a healthy gut so that bad breath doesn’t develop in the first place. Try breaking a capsule open daily into your pet’s food.

• Carrot

  Add some grated or diced carrot to your dog’s regular food and it will help clean her teeth while she eats. The more bacteria you can remove from her teeth and gums, the better her breath!

• Dill

  This mild-flavored herb has a powerful antibacterial punch that can help kill mouth-odor-causing germs. Try sprinkling some freshly chopped dill onto the dog’s food. You can also try putting a drop or two of the essential oil of dill into the water bowl.

• Parsley

  Frequently used by humans to freshen breath, this common botanical will also help your dog ditch his bad breath. The fresh plant contains compounds like chlorophyll that help neutralize odor-causing bacteria. Sprinkle a few pinches of chopped parsley onto the animal’s food.