Worried About Your Dogs Health? How To Avoid The Canine Flu

Posted on: 1 February 2018

You probably know that flu season is in full swing. Because of that, you're probably taking plenty of precautions to keep you and your family healthy. If you have canine family members, you should be taking steps to protect them as well. You see, canine flu season is in full swing too. Unfortunately, the canine flu can make your poor dog feel downright miserable. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to help keep canine flu away.

Keep the Playmates Away

If you're in the habit of having friends over with their pets, now's the time to put an end to that; at least until flu season is over. You might not realize this, but the pets that are coming over for a visit could be carrying the flu virus. Unfortunately, that means your dog could be exposed to the flu while in the comfort of its own home. Because dogs often share food and water bowls, or chew on the same toys, there's no way to ensure that the germs won't be spread. To protect your dog from canine flu, keep the playmates away until flu season has passed.

Contact the Doggy Daycare Center

If your dog regularly attends a doggy daycare center, it's important that you contact the staff to make sure there haven't been any reported cases of canine flu. The last thing you want to do is drop your dog off at the doggy daycare center only to find out that there's a bad case of flu floating around the facility. Before you drop your dog off, make sure all the other dogs are healthy. It's also important to note that if your dog is sick, you should avoid the doggy daycare center. You don't want your dog to be the cause of a canine flu outbreak.

Avoid the Doggy Park

If you make a habit of frequenting the local doggy park, it's best to avoid the area during canine flu season. Instead, take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood. That way, you can protect your dog from contact with other dogs who may be sick, or with infected dog waste. If you do choose to go to the doggy park, be sure to bring your own water and bowl for your dog. Also, try to stay away from the other dogs while you're there, especially those that have a cough, or a thick discharge from their nose. When you get home, give your dogs paws a good washing. That way, you'll be able to remove the germs that could make your dog sick.

Contact an animal hospital for more help.

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