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www.thevillagenews.co.za
24 March 2021
MY PET
Walking with dogs By Dr Hilldidge Beer
C
ity slickers pay thousands each month to sweat it out on treadmills at the gym but for those of us fortunate to live in a seaside village surrounded by glorious walking trails, cliff paths and dog-friendly beaches, exercise costs no more than a little time each day. And if you’re a dog owner, you have an ever-willing exercise buddy who’s more than happy to walk whenever you mention the word. Exercise isn’t just good for our health, it’s essential for your dog’s health, too, and will save you a fortune on vet’s bills in the long run. What you need • Harness/collar and lead Though you won’t need to spend a fortune on lycra gym outfits, your dog does need a comfortable harness or collar and lead. Before heading out, make sure the harness fits properly and doesn’t rub your dog’s skin. Broken skin is a bacteria magnet
and you don’t want to have to fork out Rands for expensive antibiotics. Harnesses are best for brachycephalic dogs (those with flat faces and big eyes) like Pugs, French Bulldogs, Bulldogs and Pekingese as they don’t inhibit the dog’s airways the way collars can. Harnesses are also great for strong dogs that need handling. If you’re not sure what to get for your dog, pop into your nearest EberVet Vetshop and ask for advice. The Vetshops have a wide range of harnesses, collars and leads for all shapes, size and breeds – from teacup Yorkies to Boerboels. • Water Dogs dehydrate quickly in warm weather and heat stroke can be deadly. There is a range of small, collapsible bowls you can tuck into your pocket or rucksack which makes it much easier to share your water bottle with your dog. Ask your EberVet Vetshop for assistance. • Poop bags Don’t contribute to cliff path poo; stock up on disposable, environmen-
tally-friendly poop bags that are light to carry. Vetshops also stock small, water-proof poop bag containers that can be attached to your dog’s lead or harness so you need never be without. What to watch out for • Snakes As clever as our dogs are at all sorts of things, when it comes to snakes they’re just plain dumb. Most dogs can’t resist chasing snakes and the only way to avoid them being bitten is to keep them on a lead, or close to your side at all times. Watch the path for lazy puffadders – almost all snakebites in South Africa occur when snakes are stood on or handled. Download the African Snakebite Institute’s brilliant app on your phone for quick identification. • Heat Walk your dog in the early morning or late afternoon. Walking during the hottest part of the day puts your dog at risk of heatstroke which can be fatal. It can also leave your dog
with burned paw pads if you walk on tarmac or concrete. • Your dog’s breed Brachycephalic breeds (those with flat faces) have difficulty breathing as their nasal passages are severely restricted. Avoid running a brachycephalic dog; rather take your Pug for a gentler walk. Monitor his breathing: if it becomes laboured and he is panting more than usual, it’s time to go home. • Your dog’s age As much as we may not like the idea
of getting old, many of us don’t want our dogs to age either, especially if we’ve enjoyed an active lifestyle with them at our side. But, like humans, dogs suffer a range of age-related ailments as they age and these need to be considered when taking a senior dog out for exercise. Watch out for limping, reluctance to get up, stiffness and difficulty climbing stairs. These are all signs of arthritis, which is a very common ailment in older dogs. The problem with pets is they don’t easily show they’re in pain; it’s up to you as mom or dad to figure it out.
