It has been a long, cold Winter, but the end is in sight! Spring officially begins on March 20 and we are all eager to get ready for warmer weather and sunny skies, including our dogs. Our poor pooches have been cooped up inside for too long and want to get outside to enjoy the sunshine. They deserve some pampering. You can help them Spring Into Spring with These Top 8 Tips for Getting Your Pup Ready for the Season.
8. Go To the Dog Park
Chances are you walked your dog every day during the Winter months. Year-round walks are a great way for your dog to stay in shape and burn off excess energy, but it isn’t the same as going to the dog park. As soon as the snow melts and the ground dries up, take your dog for a visit to your local dog park. He will love the opportunity to run and play with other dogs. You may welcome the chance to remind your dog how to interact with other dogs if he didn’t have many outings over the Winter to practice his socializing. Spring is a muddy season. Consider spreading an old blanket on the seat of your car and bringing along an old towel or baby wipes so you can clean up muddy paws.
7. Hit the Beach
If you are lucky enough to live near a body of water, then hit the dog-friendly beach with your pup on the first pleasantly warm day. Even if it is too cold to go for a doggie paddle, walking on the beach is good for the soul—yours and your dog’s! Your dog will love a run on the beach. It is a great way to shed those extra pounds you and your pooch may have packed on over the holidays. Be sure to bring a towel with you. Even though the water will be too cold for you to take a swim, your curious dog may venture into the wave. You will want to clean off his wet and sandy paws before he jumps in your car.
6. A Soothing Massage
Your dog will feel like a young pup after a doggie massage. It is a great way to pamper your pooch ahead of the Spring season. A massage helps to relieve joint stiffness and pain in your dog, increase his energy levels, improve blood circulation, increase muscle tone and movement, and reduce stress. Over the cold Winter months, your dog may have been snowbound, causing anxiety and reduced mobility. He needs to limber up and use his muscles and relax. A good, thorough doggie massage will put him on the path to better health, physically and mentally. Check with your veterinarian to see if they offer dog massage services or can recommend a place that does. You could also ask your groomer. Some groomers offer full doggie spa treatments that include massages. If professional doggie massages are out of your budget, then you can learn to give your pooch a light massage yourself.
5. Eat Some Spring Greens
A sure way to pamper your pooch in the Spring is to give him treats of fresh fruits and vegetables, with permission from your veterinarian, of course. Many fresh, yummy fruits and veggies can make ideal treats for dogs. They are packed with vitamins and nutrients, contain fiber, and increase hydration. Always check with your vet to make sure the veggies and fruit you offer to your dog are not toxic to him. According to chewy.com, you can treat your pooch with fresh spinach greens, green beans, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus, in addition to apples, blueberries, and cantaloupe. If your vet okays it, offer small, bite-size amounts along with your dog’s regular dog food for a fresh-tasting Springtime treat.
4. Spring Into a New Wardrobe
Get your pooch ready for Spring fashions with a wardrobe upgrade. Say so-long to the dark grays, burgundys, and blacks of the Winter styles, and fill your dog’s closet with the hottest Springtime colors. According to reports from last month’s New York Fashion Week, coral, gold, bright red, yellow, mango, and spicy orange are all the trendy colors of Spring. A couple of adorable new Spring outfits, a few cute bandanas, some glittery bows, and a swanky new collar, and your pampered pooch will be all set for the Easter Parade or puppy playdates.
3. Splurge on Ice Cream
Some Spring days can get unseasonably warm. You and your dog can cool off with a cold, refreshing ice cream. If your veterinarian gives you the green light, then you can take your pooch to one of the popular national restaurant chains that have secret, dog-friendly menu items. At Starbucks, when you order your frosty frappaccino, be sure to get your lucky dog a puppuccino, a small cup of whipped cream in the iconic Starbucks cup. Dairy Queen has a Pup Cup, a small dish of their vanilla soft serve ice cream, available to visiting dogs. Culvers goes one step further. They offer a small bowl of their vanilla ice cream with a Milk Bone dog biscuit on top. Shake Shack’s Pooch-ini is a cup of frozen vanilla custard topped with peanut butter sauce and a dog biscuit. Some dogs have a sensitivity to dairy products so you should make sure that you discuss your plans for an ice cream run with your vet to make sure your pooch’s tummy can handle the special treat.
2. A New Hair-Do
Schedule a grooming appointment for your dog. Depending on the breed of your dog, you probably need to do your own periodic grooming, including shaving and trimming. However, in Spring, your dog will be ready to shed his Winter coat and a groomer can help brush out the thick, bushy undercoat. Afterwards, your dog will feel lighter and cooler…just in time for warm weather. The groomer can also shampoo and trim your dog’s fur to give him a dapper new look.
1. Get a Puppy Pedicure
A dog’s toenails naturally wear down when he runs around outside. The dirt, pavement, gravel, sidewalks, and rocks act like a file keeping his nails at a reasonable length. In the Winter months, when your dog isn’t outside as much, his toenails can become too long. Long nails may range from slightly annoying to downright painful for your pooch. Get your pup ready for Spring by scheduling a nail trimming appointment at your veterinarian’s office or groomers. While many people confidently trim their dog’s nails themselves, you could pamper your pooch by booking a puppy pedicure. A professional groomer or veterinary tech can often get the job done faster with less stress on your dog. Afterwards, your happy, well-groomed dog won’t slide on the tile floor or bite at his toenails. He will be all ready for walks around the neighborhood in the fresh, Spring air.
Your loving pooch has endured the cold Winter months just like you have and deserved to be spoiled with some Springtime pampering. He will feel the love with some extra TLC, some new threads, or a doggie spa day. Afterwards, he will be renewed and refreshed and ready for warmer weather and the fun times to come.