Travel with your Pet to New York!

Pet Friendly New York!

Dealing with Heat and Crowds and Cold cont.

• Walk your dog on a grassy areas or in the morning before the concrete/asphalt heats up.
• Make sure your dog has access to cool water all day, both inside and out.
If you see a dog in a parked car that is not running and with the windows up, do not break the windows to rescue the dog — call the police. “Do not walk away,” Soukup said. “Don’t feel like you are overreacting. You could be potentially saving the animal’s life.”

Dealing with Crowds

Is your dog afraid to be in a crowd with lots of activity going on?  Do you have a hard time walking your pet if there are many people around?  Here are some tips to help your dog cope with crowds:

• Slowly introduce a new or young animal to the bustle of crowds. It takes time to help them learn to be comfortable  in new situations.
• Start by taking him out during less busy times of the day and then work your way up.
• Keep up with the local goings on to make sure you know when activities like sports events, festivals or conventions are being held near where you live or walk your companion.  Avoid these chaotic events and schedule his walk another time.
• If your dog is approached by other people or small children, make sure you explain to them how your pet likes to be greeted.

Taking Walks in Winter Weather

Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly. You will probably need to shorten your dog’s walks in very cold weather to protect you both from weather-associated health risks.

Arthritic and elderly pets may have more difficulty walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling. Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather. Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground.

Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease) may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes. The same goes for very young and very old pets.