Your pet’s diet must have less dairy products and more fibre foods

Monsoon is the worst season for your pets. They are susceptible to skin, gastrointestinal and lung infection because of the high level of humidity. Here’s how you can keep them clean enough to cuddle!

Keep them indoors: If you have to take them out for exercise or for defecation, wait till it stops raining or use a raincoat.

Keep them dry: Towel-dry your pet’s entire body, starting from the head and going down to the back. More care should be paid to the paws because muddy or moist paws are more susceptible to fungus and bacterial infection. First clean their footpads with lukewarm water and an antiseptic lotion, and then make sure you dry them properly. Sprinkle anti-fungal powder on the body and the paws. It also prevents bad odour.

Bathe them weekly: Don’t bathe your pet often in the rainy season. Once in seven days is good enough. If you think washing your pet will help get rid of the smell, you are wrong. The more you bathe him, the worse the smell will get. The body odour will turn unpleasant because the hair roots will not dry completely. Use a dry shampoo, wet tissue paper or wet disposable towels to keep them clean. These are easily available at pet stores. Anti-dandruff or anti-fungal shampoos are great too. Use these products during a bath. Plug the ears of your pet with cotton balls to prevent water from getting in. Groom your pet twice a day.

Keep the ears clean: The ears of a cocker spaniel or a golden retriever are long and hence always covered. Increased humidity in the atmosphere increases ear infections. Try and keep the ears clean with spirit, antiseptic ear drops or a deep cleansing milk.

Check hairfall: Like us, animals are also susceptible to hairfall problems in the rainy season. Although this can’t be stopped fully, it can be controlled. Use medicines like Nutri-coat, Advance and Glofur. Feed them supplements containing Omega-6, Omega-3 and Biotin.

Keep ticks at bay: Ticks and fleas suck blood, spread infections and cause hairfall. Use anti-tick shampoos and anti-tick sprays generously. Anti-tick collars also work wonders and prevent tick infestation for more than three months.

Fresh food and water: Gastrointestinal problems are very common during the rains. Make sure your pet has less dairy products but plenty of fibre foods like bananas, apples and cucumbers. Always give your pet fresh meat to eat. Buy small or medium-sized dry, commercial food packets. If you do buy a bigger pack, make sure you put it in an airtight container to keep it bacteria-free. Ensure your pet drinks filtered water and fill the water bowl with fresh water thrice a day.

Thunderstorm: If your pet is scared of lightning and thunderstorms, give him 30mg of Gardenal twice a day.

TELLTALE SIGNS

1. Look for itchy rashes or lumps, often found in and around the eyes, ears or muzzle. These could trigger fungal diseases. Scratching makes skin diseases severe.

2. Diarrhoea or gastrointestinal infections are often accompanied by vomiting and reduced appetite.

3. Look out for signs. For instance, is your pet less energetic than usual or is he not eating his favourite snack? If he is running a temperature, consult your vet immediately. Never give your dog medicines meant for humans without guidance from a vet.

— Aparajita Chakraborty, veterinarian