Caring For The Dog's Coat

Both "outdoor dogs" and "indoor dogs' need special care during the cold winter months and a different kind of care during the summer months.

Summer Care:
First off, every time of year, the dog needs FRESH water. water that is old and "slimey" can cause intestinal upsets in your dog and bacterial infections. FRESH water is a must.
In the summer be sure that your dog is provided with adequate shade and if he is chained out make sure that he cant tangle up on the chain and thus end up being out in the hot sun. If he is in a pen, it is nice if you able to hook up a fan on the outside of the pen facing inwards so as to circulate air on those hot airless days. The air circulation also helps to keep flies away.

Speaking of flies if your dog is in a pen or on a chain it is absolutely vital that you pick up poop daily. Your neighbors can get on your case big time for the odors associated with your dog if you don't and they have a right to do so. In the summer it is important that you make sure that your dog has heartworm medication here is a handy at home test that you can give every spring and avoid the vet bill, if the dog has no sign of heartworm then you can go ahead and administer the heartworm meds.


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If you keep your dog in air conditioning in the summer, you shoud be careful not to stress him out during the heat of the day.Walk him in the cool of the morning or evening.

Winter care:
Dogs who are kept in kennels or outdoor runs need to have a shelter which will protect them from the cold temperatures and winter snows. The shelter should be just large enough for the dog to fit inside comfortabley and should contain bedding so that he can "nest." The closer the area around the dog, the more he will generate body warmth. His "house" is the same thing as a "den" for the dog,

Dogs who are kept inside the home may need to wear extra protection when going outside for a walk. Their coats and their bodies are not used to the cold weather and they will suffer in the same way that you would suffer if you went outside without a coat. Even long coated dogs need or should have foot protection so that the hair between the toes will not collect "ice balls."
Dogs in the winter will need to keep body energy and will eat more than they do in the summer.Outdoor water supplies need to be kept from freezing. Heating units for outdoor waterers may be purchased and the electrical connections should be frequently checked. Dogs can not and should not be expected to "just eat snow" to maintain the water supply for their body.

It is perfectly okay to report dogs that you see are being mistreated during the winter months. Countless numbers do die in the winter because people are not caring for them properly. Nearly all states in the union have state veterinarian services or agricultural departments. Check with your county board of supervisors to find the phone number of your local agricultural extension service and get help for animals who suffer needlessly in the winter.

Remedy #1

Take a BIG fat lemon (the more rind the better) and slice it paper thin. Put in a bowl with a tablespoon of crushed rosemary leaves (or a 6 inch sprig of fresh). Pour over with a quart of hot, near boiling water. Let steep overnight. Strain and put into a large spray bottle. Keep in fridge. Shake well before applying. The d-limeone in this spray along with the rosemary oil will give your dog a beautiful shiny coat and keep fleas and other bugs away including mosquitoes, so you get extra heartworm protection. If your dog has dry skin or allergies add a teaspoon of tea tree oil and a tablespoon of Aloe pulp. Use the spray at least twice a week to keep the scent on the coat to repel bugs, and spray it around your doors and through the carpets. If it's a bad flea time, spray daily on the belly and feet to repel them. No bug will get near this stuff. And, of course, it's all natural!

Remedy #2

Go to any fish aquarium center and purchase a bag of diatomaceous earth (also known as "Diatom dust"). This almost perfect repellent comes in the form of a fine chalky white powder. It is, as it says, mined directly from the earth. It is a silica (sandy) substance which is made up of tiny tiny crystals. When bugs walk through this stuff....they DIE. This is because the tiny crystals slice the exoskeleton of the bug and they can not survive when their skeletons are sliced. Best of all, it is absolutely harmless to your pet,to kids, or any small animal within your household. The only caution is that this fine dust is harmful to birds in your family and since it is also a very fine dust you should probably wear a mask if you are dusting it into the atmosphere of your home. I use this substance in my basement liberally sprinkled around foundations. In the three years that I have lived in this very very old home I have found only two spiders!! I have had diatom dust in my basement since I moved here! I highly recommend this product.Diatom Dust Insect Powder - 5 Pounds