Throughout summer and autumn, there\u2019s no better time to get out of the house and into the great outdoors for some healthy physical activity, exploration, and rejuvenating time enjoying the beautiful scenery around Richmond. Dogs also love romping around in the wilderness, smelling all the smells, and spotting all the little critters. Before you head out into the unknown with your four-footed friends, consider these tips to make sure you both have a fun time exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bring enough food and water for both you and your dog; drinking from ponds or streams can make you and your dog very sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before heading out, make sure your dog\u2019s properly protected from fleas, ticks, parasites, and contagious diseases found in the wilderness. Even with protection, be sure to check your dog for ticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blue-green algae is extremely toxic to dogs. Ingesting or swimming in it can be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s best to keep your dog on a leash, but a microchip will provide an extra layer of protection and assurance if your dog gets away from you on the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you choose a destination, research it to make sure dogs are welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before setting out on a strenuous hike with your dog wearing a pack, check with our veterinarian to make sure your dog\u2019s healthy enough to handle the activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re planning a wilderness adventure during autumn, check to see when hunting season starts in your destination. It\u2019s okay to hike and camp during hunting season, but you\u2019ll need to wear a vest in hunter\u2019s orange and purchase one for your dog, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before heading out into the great outdoors with your dog, we recommend scheduling a time for Capital Home Veterinary to visit your house for a preventative care appointment. We\u2019ll do a physical exam to make sure your pet\u2019s healthy enough for a hike and a romp in the woods. We\u2019ll also ensure your pet is fully protected from parasites like heartworm, fleas, and ticks. Plus, we\u2019ll check that all of your dog\u2019s vaccinations are up to date and potentially suggest adding a few non-core vaccines, like the leptospirosis vaccine, to increase your pet\u2019s safety in the wilderness. Contact us to schedule an appointment before your next big exploration!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Before you head out into the unknown with your four-footed friends, consider these tips to make sure you both have a fun time exploring.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,47,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fleas-ticks","category-hiking-with-your-dog","category-pet-safety-tips"],"yoast_head":"\n