Rain care for your fur-ever companions

Monsoon is set to arrive in the Capital, bringing some much-needed respite from #DilliKiGarmi. Also relieved will be our furry friends, who’ve had to endure the heat just like all of us. But before letting them out to enjoy the weather, some precautions need to be taken to keep them protected.

Shweta Verma, a city-based pet stylist, recommends keeping your pets’ paws and coats dry as moist fur can be a breeding ground for infections. She suggests: “Check for ticks after every walk. Get them shoes to wear, so they can be protected from microbes and other bacteria. Keep them away from stagnant or dirty water. Carry an extra pair of collars and leashes.”

The risk of respiratory infections and worm-related illnesses increases in monsoon. Dr Vinod Sharma, a veterinarian, asserts the need to ensure that the pets receive their deworming tablets and vaccines depending on their specific immunisation schedules. For daily care, he says, “Before and after daily walks, pat dry your dog’s fur with a towel. Powders with antifungal properties can help prevent infections. You’ll also need to temporarily switch to a waterless shampoo for them.”

But during heavy rains, it may not be possible to take your dog out for a walk. For such days, Dikshit Wadhwa, a dog trainer, suggests: “We must substitute walks with indoor activities to keep our furballs stimulated. Some fun games to keep your doggo engaged on a rainy day include tug of war, indoor fetch, find the treat, interactive toys, learning new tricks and hide and seek.”

As we take care of our pets, we must also remember our furry mates out on the streets. Atin Suri, a pet lover from Gurugram, says: “We can create sheds using tarpal (tarpaulin), old water tanks, old bath tubs or drums, which are all available at a kabadiwala. It will cost less than ₹500. While serving food, keep it under the shed so that it doesn’t get wet during a downpour.”

Care for strays too:-

Create a dry space for strays to wait out when it’s raining

Keep fresh water bowls in these dry spaces

If possible, give them shelter in your homes during heavy rains

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