Water play is a favorite dog activity, but it has some risks. Here’s how to recognize and avoid problems

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Part of the fun of summer is playing in water, and that’s true for dogs, too. They run through sprinklers, splash and swim in pools, and go with us to lakes, rivers or oceans. Keep them happy and safe during summer’s dog days with these tips.

-- Algal blooms. A blue-green shimmer of algae on lakes, ponds and reservoirs is a signal to stay out. Potent cyanotoxins can cause anything from skin irritation to liver failure. “Even if dogs don’t drink the water, if they come out and they’re licking themselves clean, they can take the toxin in,” says Jason Nicholas, DVM, chief medical officer of PreventiveVet.com. The toxins can have the same effects on humans.

At the ocean, algal overblooms can cause toxic red tides. Dogs who don’t go in the water can still be at risk because the toxins can become aerosolized, causing respiratory signs in animals and humans exposed to them. Check conditions before you go.

-- Rip currents. Strong currents near the beach can quickly pull swimmers -- dogs included -- farther out than is safe. We can’t tell dogs to swim parallel to the shore if they get caught in one, so whether you’re tossing a ball into the waves for him to fetch or going paddleboarding with your pup, ask a lifeguard about conditions beforehand.

Keep a brightly colored pet life jacket on your dog. If he gets swept away, it will help keep him afloat until he’s rescued. For dogs who aren’t strong swimmers or don’t have life jacket protection, toss a ball along the beach, not into the water.

-- Water intoxication. Dogs playing in water may accidentally take in large quantities while swimming, or get overheated and drink too much. Either way, the excess water can dilute the concentration of electrolytes in the blood, causing vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea or more severe signs such as seizures or coma. Keep him hydrated by frequently offering small amounts of water so he takes it in slowly. And pay attention to behavior.

“If you see your dog acting lethargic, vomiting, having diarrhea and progressing to ataxia (wobbling), get him to a vet,” Dr. Nicholas says. Treatment can require hospitalization for slow, steady normalization of electrolyte levels and close monitoring of the dog.

-- Near-drowning. When dogs (or humans) go underwater, they may accidentally inhale water. It might not be enough to cause immediate drowning, but water that gets into the lungs sets up an inflammatory process. And if saltwater is inhaled, that draws more fluid from the blood into the lungs. The result is that lungs become flooded and the dog drowns hours, or days, after water exposure. Any time you notice a respiratory change or change in activity level after a dog has been in the water, get him to the veterinarian.

“Let the veterinarian know that there might have been an incident where they swallowed or inhaled water,” Dr. Nicholas says. “If they’re having respiratory issues, it’s just more indication to get X-rays.”

-- Pool safety. Teach your dog how to swim (check out FearFreeHappyHomes.com for an article on canine swim lessons) and where and how to enter and exit the pool. Protect pets with a pool alarm such as Safety Turtle that goes off if they fall in. Flimsy pool covers can entrap dogs who walk on them, so choose a sturdy one that won’t submerge. Fences around the pool should not have spaces large enough for puppies or small dogs to wiggle through. A product such as a Puppy Bumper can prevent them from going through a fence or gate.

Finally, rinse and dry dogs thoroughly after playing in any water to ward off skin and ear infections. Then they’ll be ready to go out and do it all over again the next day!

Q&A

Turn down pets’

noise fears

Q: What are some ways to keep pets from being scared during fireworks and thunderstorms?

A: Loud or unexpected noises trigger what’s called the orienting response, the brain’s mechanism for processing unexpected noises to determine if they signal danger. Pets who are unsure run and hide. Heart and respiratory rates increase, and blood pressure goes up. Those are normal physiological responses, but some animals exhibit more severe signs of fright, such as drooling, trembling, hiding for hours or trying to escape by jumping out a window or destroying a door.

Providing a hiding place is a good start. This may be a covered crate in a room with the curtains drawn to dampen sound or a closet or a bathroom with no windows. Be sure to leave the crate door open so your pet doesn’t feel trapped. That can intensify fear. Some pets feel safe in the bathtub. Put a favorite toy in the room to provide comfort and distraction. Keep this safe room set up all the time.

Pets may respond to synthetic canine or feline pheromone sprays or diffusers. The calming chemicals are odor-free to humans but signal security to dogs and cats. Close-fitting garments such as Thundershirts help to calm some animals.

Certain types of music can have calming effects as well. Try playing harp or classical music, soft jazz or music specifically composed for dogs or cats. A white-noise machine may also help.

Consider sending your pet to stay in a place where fireworks are uncommon. That could be a friend or relative’s home, a boarding kennel or petsitter.

Other ways to help pets cope include desensitization and counterconditioning or medication such as Sileo (FDA-approved for noise aversion in dogs) or alprazolam. In severe cases, consider seeking help from a Fear Free-certified veterinary behaviorist. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Flea control

safety for cats

-- It’s flea season. If you treat your pets with any kind of topical or oral preventive, be sure you don’t share products between cats and dogs. Products made for dogs can be toxic and even deadly to cats. For instance, cats are highly sensitive to permethrin products and can be affected even if they just come in contact with a dog treated with a permethrin-based preventive. Read the label carefully to make sure you’re using the appropriate product for each pet, and check with your veterinarian if you’re not sure. Signs of toxicity in cats include drooling, vomiting, muscle tremors, dilated pupils and seizures. Take any pet to the veterinarian right away if these signs occur after administering a flea preventive product.

-- On a job hunt? Many employers are making efforts to accommodate people with furry family members. Benefits offered by pet-friendly companies include coverage of petsitting expenses for employees traveling for business, providing or subsidizing pet health insurance, letting people bring pets to the office and giving time off when people acquire a new pet or when a pet dies. Among the top pet-friendly companies are Amazon at number one, followed by Procore Technologies, Trupanion (itself a pet health insurance company), Petsmart, Airbnb, Nestle Purina Petcare, Petco, Zogics, Ceros, Uber, Salesforce, and Chewy.com.

-- We all want to save money, but penny-pinching on pet care can cost big bucks in the long run if health problems aren’t dealt with early. The American Veterinary Medical Association has some tips on saving money without compromising care. An important one is to prevent joint problems, ruptured disks and other conditions by ensuring that pets don’t become overweight. Avoid leaving food out all the time, and provide daily walks and playtime to help them stay active. Find more at AVMA.org. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Depending on circumstances, a dog of any size can be a good companion for a senior. Here are factors to consider

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

I’ve had cavalier King Charles spaniels for 20 years. My husband and I switched to the small spaniels after the death of our greyhound, Savanna, from bone cancer. We lived in a condo and decided our next dog should be one we could easily carry up and down the stairs if necessary -- something we had to do with Savanna after a leg amputation. We planned to go back to bigger dogs when we bought a house.

That house purchase never happened, but occasionally I still yearn for a larger dog -- before I get too old. But is there such a thing as “too old” for a big dog?

Age doesn’t have to preclude dog ownership, not even of large breeds. Bobbie Thrutchley, 88, of Leawood, Kansas, was feeling lonely after the death of her goldendoodle, so she went down to the shelter and adopted a Lab mix, whom she named Coco.

“We’re good for each other,” she says.

As with any choice of a dog, though, there’s a lot to consider.

“Variables include owner experience with dogs, owner ability to train the dog, the relationship between dog and owner and the dog’s temperament,” says dog trainer Liz Palika of Kindred Spirits in Escondido, California. Other factors are a person’s own health and fitness and the dog’s size and health.

Barbara Saunders, 47 at the time, injured her back carrying her 19-year-old 65-pound dog up and down two flights of stairs. Vision-impaired and arthritic, the dog was afraid to walk down them himself. For her next dog, she chose one weighing only 20 pounds.

If you’re a senior considering getting a puppy or adult dog, think ahead. Does your local senior housing, assisted living center or nursing home allow pets? If so, is there a cap on weight or height? Choose a dog who won’t exceed the limit. For the same reason, a dog who’s quiet -- or can learn to be that way -- is a necessity. And consider whether a puppy might outlive you. Adopting a middle-aged or senior dog may be a better option.

Experts have favorites they recommend for people of a certain age. Journalist, breeder and dog show judge Allan Reznik of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, recommends a well-trained adult greyhound, Doberman pinscher or standard poodle for people who own their own home, don’t face community size restrictions and enjoy walks. “If they prefer something smaller to cuddle and spoil, I’d suggest a cavalier, papillon or pug,” he says.

Dog groomer Julie Ellingson of Sacramento, California, is a fan of Chihuahuas -- “clever, brave little dogs” -- and miniature poodles. She says clients who are seniors most often have Pomeranians or Shih Tzus. “The Poms require a bit of effort for brushing, but have distinct shedding seasons, and Shih Tzus are best kept in short teddy bear clips. Both have sunny temperaments.”

Many seniors might not want to live with a dog they couldn’t pick up and carry to the car if necessary, so big dogs are out.

A small dog isn’t always the best choice, though. While they don’t weigh much, it can be difficult to bend down to pick them up if necessary or to attach a leash or harness. It’s also easy to trip over or step on them. Karen Henderson of Minerva, Ohio, has a goldendoodle and a yellow Lab. She says they are easier to care for than smaller dogs.

Gail Parker of Philadelphia lives with an Irish setter, Daisy. For her, a tall dog is nice for help with balance when going down steps or walking on an uneven sidewalk. She adopted Daisy, then 8 years old, from an Irish setter rescue group, and notes that some shelters discount or waive adoption fees for seniors, especially if they adopt older dogs.

Q&A

Sun-loving cats

need protection

Q: My cat loves to nap in the sun. Why is that, and do I need to worry that he’ll get sunburned?

A: Cats have made their way around the world and now live in all types of climates, but they are descended from desert animals. Their wild relatives like to bask in the sun during the day and hunt in the cool of the evening, and our domestic cats carry on that tradition as much as they are allowed.

We’ve all seen cats lying in a patch of sunshine, catching a few rays wherever they can. If your cat is indoors, you probably don’t need to slather him with sunscreen, but cats who have access to a catio or a yard with a cat fence preventing them from getting out can benefit from sun protection.

Cats most at risk are hairless or have thin, light-colored coats. If they go outdoors, put pet-safe sunscreen on their nose, ears, belly and tail, and protect the rest of the body with a T-shirt or other item of clothing -- preferably one that provides protection from UV rays. You can find UV-protective clothing for pets online or at pet boutiques. The label should say “certified UPF 50+.”

For cats and dogs, avoid sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or salicylates. If licked, those ingredients can be toxic or even deadly. Your veterinarian can recommend pet-safe sunscreen.

Consider topping a catio with a cover made of fabric that’s treated to block the sun’s rays. You can also reduce your cat’s exposure to the most harmful rays by keeping him indoors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is at its highest in the sky and rays are strongest.

Finally, unless it’s medically necessary, don’t shave your cat. Fur provides natural sun protection. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Study links dog,

human stress

-- Stressed? Your dog may be, too. A Swedish study published June 6 in the journal Scientific Reports found that dogs tended to mirror the stress levels of the people they lived with. Researchers looked at 58 women with border collies or Shetland sheepdogs and compared levels of cortisol -- a stress hormone -- in the hair of both dogs and humans. “We found that the levels of long-term cortisol in the dog and owner were synchronized, such that owners with high cortisol levels have dogs with high cortisol levels, while owners with low cortisol levels have dogs with low levels,” says the study’s principal author, Ann-Sofie Sundman of the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) at Linkoping University. In the future, researchers hope to learn how different types of dogs -- hunting dogs, for example -- are influenced by humans, and whether sex of the owner plays a role.

-- Don’t despair if your cat is diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The disease isn’t curable, but cats with it can live a normal life. Take your cat to the veterinarian if he has signs such as fever, anemia, weight loss and diarrhea. A blood test can identify the presence of the FIV antibody. The disease is most commonly seen in young adult or middle-aged cats. They should live in a low-stress indoor environment and receive regular veterinary care. Ways to ensure a low-stress lifestyle and veterinary visits for cats can be found at fearfreehappyhomes.com.

-- Icelandic sheepdogs have the typical prick ears, curled tail, thick coat and barkful nature of their Nordic relatives, along with a cheerful and curious nature. They thrive on human companionship and are best suited to homes with people who will keep them busy with activities such as hiking, camping or competing in dog sports. Note: Icies bark and shed. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Heat and humidity pose hazards to pets, but the following tips can help them stay cool and comfortable

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

After a cold and rainy winter, temps are starting to sizzle. That means it’s time to think about your pet’s safety and well-being while he’s outdoors -- and indoors, too. Heat exhaustion is one of the risks facing dogs and cats in summer. Here’s what you might not have known about recognizing and preventing it, as well as protecting pets from other effects of heat.

Heat exhaustion or heatstroke can sneak up on pets and people. It doesn’t occur just in hot cars or after playing too strenuously in the hot sun. Brachycephalic pets -- think pugs, Persians, bulldogs and other short-nosed breeds -- can die indoors if the power goes off, leaving them for hours with no air conditioning. Sign up for power outage alerts from your local provider, or look for an app that will notify you so you can get home or ask a neighbor or petsitter to make sure your pets don’t overheat.

Those same breeds can develop difficulty breathing after just a few minutes outdoors when temperatures and humidity are high. That’s because they rely on the ability to pant to dissipate heat. Pets with heart disease, conditions such as laryngeal paralysis in large breeds such as Labrador retrievers or Newfoundlands, or collapsing trachea -- especially common in toy breeds -- as well as very young or old dogs are also at greater risk.

“Even just taking your brachycephalic or obese dog or dog with existing bronchitis or certain heart conditions on a walk in the middle of the day could result in heat exhaustion or heatstroke and a trip to the emergency hospital,” says veterinarian Jason Nicholas, chief medical officer of PreventiveVet.com. “We tend to see a lot of cases in the spring and fall,” he says. “In spring, people aren’t really yet thinking about the heat, and sometimes you’ll get those uncharacteristically warm days. In fall, people tend to let their guard down after summer and then we get those warm days that spring up unexpectedly.”

If your dog stays outdoors during the day or has access to the yard, make sure there’s reliable shade and fresh water available as the sun moves. A number of pet beds, some elevated for better air flow, come with covers. Look for one with fabric made to block the sun’s rays. An outdoor misting fan is another option to consider. In extreme temperatures, though, your dog will be cooler, safer and happier in the air-conditioned indoors.

A pup tent or soft crate made of similar fabric provides sun protection for dogs at agility or nose work trials or just having fun at the beach. Shade sails, canopies and tarps made of UV-resistant fabric are available at big-box stores and online. Regular misting from a handheld sprayer on the belly and paws helps keep pets cool, too.

Cooling boots can protect paws from hot asphalt, concrete or sand on walks. Better yet, schedule walks and play for cooler mornings and evenings.

A cooling mat or cooling coat or bandana can help your pet, but don’t rely on it for full protection on hot days. A cooling coat won’t allow your dog to participate in strenuous exercise or stay in a hot car for long periods. “The main thing with keeping them cool is paying attention to the temperature outside and their activity level and existing health conditions,” Dr. Nicholas says.

Most important, be your dog’s caretaker. He may love sprawling in full sun on hot concrete in 100-degree temps, but it’s smart to reduce the risk of sunburn or heatstroke by limiting sunbathing time. Keep him indoors or in a shady spot between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Q&A

Make feline flea

control year-round

Q: Help! My cat has fleas. How can I get rid of them?

A: You’re smart to want to protect your cat from these freeloading bloodsuckers.

Flea bites cause cats to be itchy and uncomfortable. (Did you know that a single flea can bite your cat up to 400 times a day?) They also transmit disease-causing bacteria that affect cats and humans, including mycoplasma, which leads to anemia in cats, and bartonella, the cause of “cat-scratch disease” in humans as well as other infections in cats. Worse, fleas reproduce like crazy. A single female flea can lay 40 to 50 eggs daily. With enough females in the right (or wrong) conditions, you could have a thousand or more fleas tormenting your cat in less than a month. So let’s get down to flea-control basics.

First, even if your cat doesn’t go outside, she needs to be on a safe and effective flea preventive. Fleas can still enter your house via your clothing or other animals. Or maybe your cat has an outdoor catio where she hangs out. Veterinary parasitologists now recommend keeping pets on a preventive year-round to prevent re-infestation.

Talk to your veterinarian about the best flea-control product to use for your individual cat and your locale. A product given monthly can control fleas as well as internal parasites and heartworms. (Yes, cats can get heartworms.) Starting a preventive when you first get a cat can help to protect her from any parasite infestations throughout her life.

Your vacuum cleaner and washing machine can complement the use of flea preventives by removing fleas and their eggs. Vacuum at least weekly, including upholstered furniture. Get beneath cushions, under furniture and in the corners. Wash your cat’s bed, as well as your own sheets, in hot water every week. That kills fleas and eggs. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Safety tips for

travel with pets

-- Road-tripping with pets this summer? Label kennels or carriers with cards that have your dog or cat’s name, photo, breed or mix, and sex status (unspayed female or neutered male, for instance). List health conditions, current medications or parasite preventives, and microchip status, if applicable. Describe your pet’s needs as far as handling (doesn’t like to be picked up, gets along with other dogs, escape artist and so on). On the reverse side, list emergency contact information, including a number for your veterinarian and the person(s) to contact about your pet’s care if you’re incapacitated. Include instructions about veterinary care if they are injured. Note that you or another responsible party will pay all expenses for your pet’s care, and sign the card.

-- A golden retriever named Max II is lifetime mayor of Idyllwild, California. Max’s chief of staff (aka owner), Phyllis Mueller, “bought” the election with a large donation to the town’s Animal Rescue Friends organization. The mayor’s platform, located on his website, promotes positive thinking, unconditional love to everyone, and good deeds -- including keeping Idyllwild beautiful by picking up litter.

-- Hepatic lipidosis -- accumulation of lipids in the liver -- is relatively common in cats. It often develops as a result of diseases associated with anorexia (appetite loss) and weight loss, such as pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease, but sometimes the cause is unknown (idiopathic hepatic lipidosis). These cats are usually older and obese and may have recently experienced a stressful situation. Always take your cat to the veterinarian right away if he hasn’t eaten for a couple of days or you notice that he’s dropping weight quickly. Thinking that he’ll eat when he’s hungry can be an expensive or even fatal mistake. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.