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Summer Safety Tips for Dogs

Schnauzer Flag
Schnauzer garden flagSummer Safety for Miniature Schnauzers
Summertime usually means lots of outdoor fun: picnics, going to the dog park, cook-outs with family and friends, day trips to the beach, and the list goes on and on...

But summertime also brings new dangers for your Miniature Schnauzer. Fleas and ticks are more prevalent; Mosquito activity is higher posing risk for heartworms; with the heat comes the risk of heatstrokes; there are water dangers (pool, beach, lakes...); chemically treated lawns; antifreeze... The following list of canine safety precautions will help keep your Miniature Schnauzer safe and cool this summer:

10 Dog Safety Tips for the Summer

Be sure to keep your Schnauzer from coming into contact with toxic lawn chemicals.
- Make sure all lawn chemicals are securely stored.
- Follow all instructions on label for use (most all products have pet info and warnings on their labels)
- Always wash your Schnauzer’s paws off. A quick rinse of the paws after a romp in the yard or from a walk is a good idea. By rinsing off your Schnauzer's paws you prevent your Schnauzer from ingesting any chemicals through licking his paws.
Cocoa mulch is deadly. Cocoa mulch contains ingredients that could pose a health risk to dogs if ingested. Always supervise your Schnauzer's activities outdoors. Summer safety tip: Familiarize yourself with the most common poisonous plants to dogs list and watch the video below for further info.
Check those paws! Hot pavements and hot sand can blister your Schnauzer’s paws. If you notice any damage to your Schnauzer's paws use an antibacterial wash and wrap with them bandages. Call your Vet for advice. Also, the use of paw creams can help repair and restore lost resiliency to paw pads.
While enjoying your fruit salad and other summer treats be mindful of the foods that could be dangerous to your Miniature Schnauzer.
Test Your Knowledge. Take the Bad Foods for Dogs Quiz
Since your Schnauzer may be spending more time in your fenced-in backyard, now would be a good time to walk the perimeter of your fence and check for any gaps or holes. Now that the snow is gone, fence damage and holes may be exposed. You will want to make it a priority to get them repaired as soon as possible, so your Schnauzer doesn't escape. Be sure your wireless dog fence is working properly.
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Check your Schnauzer’s ID tag and make sure all the info is legible and accurate. With your dog spending more time outdoors, it's probably a good time to get a new tag that’s easy to read, just in case your Miniature Schnauzer gets loose.
Also, if your Schnauzer has a dog microchip, have it checked out and updated as well. Get your Vet to scan your Schnauzer to be sure all your info is correct and up-to-date, as well as making sure the microchip is working properly.
Fleas & ticks are always more of a problem during the hot summer months. And besides just being a nuisance, they can be a health hazard too. Fleas can cause skin allergies, anemia, and transmit tapeworms. Ticks transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Dog Tick Removal
But even though fleas and ticks can be a challenge to control in some areas, there are so many safe, easy-to-use products on the market your dog and home can remain flea free. If possible, use non-toxic powders and sprays to treat your home, your yard, and your Schnauzer’s bedding. And there are natural products for your Schnauzer too! (see examples of natural products below)
Check the Map of Flea Activity in Your Area
Keep your Miniature Schnauzer well-groomed. A good clean, healthy coat will be able to do it's job more effectively to protect your dog from the sun. Also keep your Schnauzer's nails trimmed. Grooming your Miniature Schnauzer regularly will also help you identify any problems with bug bites, fleas, ticks, etc... Benefits of Brushing Your Dog
One of the most important summer safety tips for dogs is to be sure you keep them on heartworm preventative medication. With summertime comes mosquitoes and with mosquitoes comes heartworms. Read more on heartworms and the steps you need to take to prevent heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is preventable!
Learn First Aid For Dogs Since your Schnauzer will be spending more time outdoors, there is an increase risk of some sort of accident occurring. Be sure your first aid kit for dogs is accessible and well-stocked.
Further summer safety reading: Artificial Respiration and CPR for Dogs. Also read: Heat Stroke in Dogs Symptoms and Treatment.

5 More Important Summer Safety Tips for Dogs

Keep your Miniature Schnauzer indoors when mowing your lawn. Debris flying out from under lawn mowers could pose a real threat to your dog.
Be prepared when traveling with your Schnauzer. Read - Tips for Traveling with Your Dog. Also, consider the use of protective eyewear like doggles, as a summer safety precaution, especially if your Schnauzer likes to put his head out the car window.
Summer safety includes water safety. Schnauzers aren't the best swimmers so be sure to always supervise your Schnauzer's activity in and around lakes, oceans, swimming pools etc. Consider having your Miniature Schnauzer wear a life jacket or life vest for dogs.
Anitfreeze is deadly! This summer safety tip could save your Schnauzer's life. Anitfreeze is a coolant which has a sweet taste to dogs. But even if a dog even licks up a small amount of it, they can become extremely ill. Be sure to keep your driveway and garage free of any antifreeze spills.
Summer holiday events, like The Fourth of July present their own share of problems. As much as we love having our Miniature Schnauzers with us, sometimes it's best to just leave them at home when you go to events that may be crowded or pose other safety hazards to our pets. You will be able to have more fun not having to worry about your dog and your Schnauzer will feel be safer at home.

There are more dog tips on Summer safety for keeping your Schnauzer cool, too. You can read all about them here:

Top 6 Dog Tips to Keep Your Schnauzer Cool This Summer.

As mentioned above, there are plenty of non-toxic powders and sprays to treat your home, your yard, and your Schnauzer’s bedding against fleas and ticks. And there are natural products for your Schnauzer too! Check out some of these all natural products to keep those fleas and ticks off your Schnauzer and out of your home!

Natural Products for Repelling Fleas & Ticks!