As weather warnings are issued across the UK for the arrival of thunderstorms, dog owners up and down the country will be asking themselves ‘Is it safe to take my dog for a walk?’ and “What happens if my dog drinks rainwater?”.
With this in mind, Emma Scales-Theobald Canine Behaviourist and partner of Canine Cottages, has advised that dog owners “keep walks brief to just allow them time to do their business, consider if a raincoat would make them feel more comfortable and try to stick to more built up and sheltered areas.”
Emma has also shared some top tips on keeping your dog safe during the rainier weather.
1. Be hyper-aware of hazards
Wet weather can make things slippery and risk your dog getting lose, either from the lead slipping your grip, them slipping out of their collar/harness, or by you falling and letting go of the lead.
Make sure your dog’s harness is on safe and secure and you keep a tight grip of the lead throughout. To reduce any hazards consider taking a shorter route than usual.
2. Avoid letting your dog drink from puddles
Puddles and standing water from the rain, also might not be safe for your dog to walk in or drink as they might contain things like bacteria, car oil or other chemicals, potentially leading to skin irritation or illness.
3. Wear high visibility gear
The increased cloud cover and disturbance from the rain can also make you and your dog less visible to cars, so it’s advisable to make sure you are both extra visible with high-visibility gear, reflective accessories and/or a light.
You could wear a high-visibility vest and have a torch, and your dog could wear a reflective collar, harness, lead or high-visibility coat with a light on their collar, lead or harness.
4. Keep your pooch dry during their walk
Your dog might enjoy wearing a raincoat in the rain to stop them getting wet and to keep them warmer. It can also help to reduce the time it takes for you to dry off your dog after a walk in the rain too.
‘Paw wellies’ or dog boots are important for dogs to wear in conditions which could potentially damage their paws, such as in snowy/icy conditions or hiking over rough terrain. However, they are unlikely to be necessary in rainy weather and therefore not recommended for all dogs.
4. Dry your dog thoroughly
It’s important to make sure our dogs dry off properly after being in the rain, particularly their paws. This is because skin conditions, such as rain rot (dermatophilosis), yeast infections, and hot spots (acute moist dermatitis), can occur when there’s prolonged moisture exposure on the skin. These can be very sore for dogs, leading to red and inflamed skin, fur loss, open sores, and scabs.
If you have a long-haired dog, it’s also important to make sure your dog is brushed/groomed after rainy weather because their fur can become matted and tangled from the rain. Matted fur can pull at the skin causing bruising and discomfort, as well as trap moisture against the skin, leading to potential skin conditions.
Should you take your dog for a walk in rainy weather?
Extreme weather can pose high risks for both dogs, and owners, however, most breeds do need daily exercise. So, should owners take their dog for a walk in extreme weather? Emma advises to assess the extremity of the thunderstorm first.
“Heavy rain can often be accompanied by strong winds, thunderstorms or flooding, which can pose potential dangers for you and your dog. For example, if your dog has anxiety about the sound of thunder, they might try to bolt if caught by a surprise rumble during a walk. If you’re feeling unsafe, your dog is not keen to walk or conditions are becoming unmanageable, it’s a sign to cut the walk short and come home.”
If you have to go out with your dog, keep walks brief to just allow them time to do their business, consider if a raincoat would make them feel more comfortable and try to stick to more built up and sheltered areas. You could also consider bringing treats if your dog looks anxious and go at your dog’s pace if they seem reluctant to go out or keen to go home. “
Commenting on the safety advice, Sarah Pring, Digital PR Manager of Canine Cottages said, “From the extreme of sunny weather to thunderstorms, in the UK it’s always important to be prepared for adverse weather conditions. Whether home or away, its essential that dog owners know how to keep their dog safe in rainier weather, so you are prepared beforehand.
“With this in mind, we are delighted to team up with Dr. Emma, who is on-hand to offer expert advice, to help advise dog owners across the UK on how to keep their canine companions safe and happy – whether home or away!”
For advice on the best dog coats for adventures with your pooch, please visit: https://www.caninecottages.co.uk/guides/best-dog-coats
