12 Tips on How to Take Care of Dogs in Rainy Seasons

While the monsoon season is necessary for several reasons, it brings certain illnesses for dogs. They are vulnerable to some skin issues, dyspepsia and other health problems during this season. Thus, pet parents must ensure extra measures on how to take care of dogs in rainy seasons.

Taking care of pets poses great challenges to owners during the rainy season. Thus, this article highlights effective tips on monsoon care for dogs and how to prevent their illnesses. So, keep reading!

Follow the below tips below exactly as they are mentioned. However, even then, if you see any unusual behavior in your dog, take them to a vet for a check-up.

1. Keep the Fur Dry

When dogs go out for walks or playtime, dry out their furs with a towel before and after. As the atmosphere is full of moisture during monsoons, their fur stores it. It causes sickness from fungal and bacterial infections. Antifungal powders will prevent infection on their paws and other body parts.

An individual can also opt for waterless solutions for shampooing the dogs temporarily. The doggy raincoat is another useful monsoon kit for dogs allowing them to enjoy the rain outside.

2. Take Care of Digestive Health

Dogs’ outdoor movement and playtime will gradually decrease due to sudden downpours. Hence, their guardians must take care of their digestive health with fibre-rich foods and vegetables during rainy seasons. Also, individuals can make their dogs exercise indoors to prevent obesity and digestive problems.

However, their daily nutrition intake should be planned according to their indoor activities. As the weather is humid, dogs do not like dry foods in monsoons. Thus a natural diet is ideal with protein, fat, carbohydrates, fibre, calcium and vitamins.

3. Check their Ears

Dogs’ ears are susceptible to getting infections as they become very moist. This is why it is essential to keep their ears dry to prevent such infection and reduce any kind of wax build-up in their ears. Dogs with long and flappy ears are more prone to these infections.

Pet parents must make sure their ears are free of moisture after their outdoor playing activities or bathing. They should pat dry the extra moisture from the ears.

4. Cover the Paws

Dogs frequently get bacterial and fungal infections, thus developing redness, itching and oily discharge between the toes and other creases in monsoon. It is because their paws are always in contact with the ground, so they are vulnerable to dirt, germs, viruses and microorganisms.

Thus, dog boots will protect their paws. In case they do not like wearing these, one has to clean their paws with warm water or dry them with a towel after a walk.

5. Ensure Flea or Ticks Prevention

Fleas and ticks become proactive for a high amount of moisture in the air during rainy seasons. These parasites bother dogs in various ways through allergic reactions. Thus, it becomes wisely decisive to keep the house, especially the dog's resting place clean from fleas, mosquitoes and ticks.

Also, it is essential to keep their beds and blankets dry and change them frequently. Pet owners can prevent these issues with anti-tick shampoos or fleas killing products and collars on pets. There are good quality fleas and ticks powder available in the market.

6. Provide Boiled or Purified Water

During monsoons, dogs are exposed to contaminated water. It can result in water-borne diseases such as leptospirosis and gastroenteritis. It is crucial to provide them with purified or boiled water to avoid stomach issues and water-borne infections during this season.

Moreover, pet parents must keep a pot full of purified or boiled water outside the home as well. This will enable the dogs to drink only germ-free water even in the absence of the owner.

7. Offer Safe Resting Place

Dogs and most animals have powerful senses to observe nature. So, they can fear an approaching natural disaster. Thus, they need a safe and private resting place in the house. In the fierce sounds of thunder, they can feel secure in that place.

Moreover, dogs can even feel safe under their owner’s bed or in the owner’s lap. So, pet parents should keep their rooms open for their dogs.

8. Vaccinate and Deworm Before Rainy Season

Dogs are more prone to worm illnesses and respiratory infections during the rainy season. This is why pet owners must take precautions with proper deworming medications and vaccines depending on their immune stability.

Always make sure to seek expert consultation from trusted veterinary physicians for proper dosages of medication and vaccination.

9. Regular but mild Exercise

It can become bothersome to go for outdoor activities during the persistent shower in monsoon. Yet, pet owners must opt for walking outside with them when the rain pauses. Dogs love long walks and playing with their owners outdoors. If they are held captivated within the house, it will become more depressing for them alongside the dull weather.

Walking while wearing raincoats will be ideal for both the owner and the pet in moderate rain. However, if the rain resumes again, make sure that even walking in the rain is enjoyable to the pet. In case of prolonged rain throughout the day, ensure exercises and playtimes indoors for the dog.

10. Ensure They Avoid Mud and Drinking Rainwater

Some dogs enjoy the shower outside. If that is the case for some owners, let them have their pleasure sometimes by allowing them to play in the rain. But one has to make sure that the dog should not drink the rainwater or roll on the mud as these are the places where they can catch ticks, fleas and other pathogens.

Also, it will be difficult for the owner to clean all the dirt. In fact, after getting drenched in the rain, it will not be a great idea to bathe them for a long time. It will make them sick.

11. Visit a Veterinary Physician

Pet owners can visit a veterinary physician before or during the rainy season. One should discuss with a vet all the precautionary measures regarding monsoon care for the dogs and preferable diet plans. It assures the pet parents that the dog will safely and happily get through the rainy season.

Furthermore, it enables the dog to get a proper shield with worm-related issues and vaccination if needed.

12. Keep Away From Infection

Dogs develop multiple types of infections in their skin, coat and other areas of the increased moisture in the air during the rainy season. Hence, it becomes extremely crucial to monitor their ears, paws and other creases to check for redness, flakes, scabs and abnormal discharges.

All these tips and tricks will help an owner know how to take care of dogs in rainy seasons in the most successful ways.

The inevitable rain of monsoons causes multiple hygiene issues in dogs. They pose hazardous health risks for dogs. Therefore, let’s look at how to take care of dogs in the rainy season to prevent their monsoon illnesses.

1. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a water-borne disease with a bacteria named Leptospira. Dogs develop this disease when their mucous membranes (open wounds) get exposed to infected urine, urine-contaminated water, soil, food, bedding and through breeding, infected tissues or carcasses, a bite from other infected animals. This disease can also transmit from the mother dogs to their puppies.

How to Prevent: The most effective way to prevent Leptospirosis is by giving antibiotics and supportive care. In addition, there are vaccines available to prevent Leptospirosis, which will last at least 12 months. Annual vaccination is highly suggested for dogs who are at risk of having this disease. Moreover, reduced exposure to the probable contacts of the Leptospira bacteria will minimise the chances of this infection.

2. Kennel Cough

Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a broad term for all the infectious or contagious illnesses of dogs where cough is a major sign. It is one of the canine respiratory diseases that induce unusual choking sounds. The major causes of this cough include sensitivity to dust, cold and moist temperature and contamination which are possible in monsoon.

How to Prevent: Kennel cough develops from a bacteria called Bordetella Genus. Hence, doctors mostly recommend the Bordetella bacterium vaccine or adenovirus and parainfluenza vaccines. Most dogs receive the Bordetella bacterium before they are six months old. After that, they can get booster shots for it.

It is highly advisable to avoid physical contact with larger dogs, as kennel cough is contagious. Furthermore, veterinarians recommend keeping dogs indoors and avoiding getting drenched as these can provoke serious illnesses with Kennel cough.

3. Gastroenteritis or Intestinal Parasites

Gastroenteritis or intestinal parasites refer to the inflammation of the stomach and the intestines. Dogs get affected by many types of viruses, bacteria, and parasites during the rainy season. Most of the common parasites thrive in a high amount of moist and humid atmosphere at this time. These parasites or worms affect them with potentially bad health conditions.

How to Prevent: Pet parents should not leave them on their own outdoors, even within their backyard or garden. They should always check what their pets are putting into their mouths and keep them hydrated during the monsoon. Also, make sure they do not drink water from puddles or roam about tick-infested areas.

4. Fungal Dermatitis

Fungal dermatitis or yeast or Malassezia dermatitis is a kind of skin inflammation from the fungus called Malassezia pachydermatis. Dogs are prone to get these fungal infections in the months of monsoon when they go outside as these fungi grow in humid weather.

How to Prevent: Dogs get most of the symptoms of fungal dermatitis in their paws. Thus, the owners must ensure their pets' paws are free of dirt and germs when coming back home after an outside tour. This suggestion is applicable for their long and thick fur coat as well if one owns a long-haired breed.

All the precautionary guidance on how to take care of dogs in rainy seasons will ensure their dogs have a soothing experience equipped for harsh conditions. However, it is equally important to seek medical attention from trusted veterinary experts to ensure their well-being.