Monsoon season is upon us! The wind is howling, rain is pitter pattering down, and lightning is flashing.
This might be a wonderful cooling break from the perpetual scorching sun in Singapore for most of us, but what about our dogs? How can we care for them during the rainy season?
Some dogs love playing in the rain and splashing in puddles, while others are not fond of going out into the rain – you can see it on their faces. Some don’t like getting their paws wet, just like that yucky feeling when we step in a puddle of water with our socks on – ugh!
Despite that, dogs, especially high energy ones, still require some exercise! Without enough exercise, your dog might start pacing, barking, whining, or even get into mischief. So, let’s look on the bright side, the rainy season provides heaps of opportunities to enjoy indoor activities with your furry best friend!
Some fun activities to engage in with your dog including playing some hide and seek, go fetch, tug of war, or running up and down the stairs – but please be careful!
Apart from physical exercise, dogs should be mentally stimulated too:
- Puzzle toys – The classic IQ treat ball is usually a hit with dogs. Just pop a few treats in and your pup will spend their time figuring out how to get those snacks out of the small opening. It’s a fun challenge and alleviates boredom.
- Treasure hunt – Hide your dog’s favourite somewhere in the house or your dog’s play area and let them sniff away to find it! This is a great way to train your dog’s talented snoot too. In fact, did you know that dogs have 300 million olfactory receptors compared to our 6 million?
- Add a twist to the treasure hunt game by hiding treats in one out of 3 containers and let your dog sniff out the correct one.
We understand that sometimes we would still like to take our dogs out for walks, especially if it’s just a light drizzle and that’s totally fine. Here are some things that you should take note of:
- Ticks – Those pesky ticks tend to be more active especially on grass and plants when there is wet weather. Remember to protect your dogs from them by regularly applying Frontline or other homemade solutions!
- Be prepared – Keep a towel nearby to wipe down your dog thoroughly before he goes inside, even between the toes! Not only does this also cleans his paws of potential bacteria or dirt that is picked up along the way, but it helps him feel more comfortable and not catch a cold. But fret not, if your dog does run indoors with muddy paws, we’ve got you covered!
- Don’t forget the ears! – This is especially important for dogs with long ears (Labs, Dachshunds, etc.) as earwax and moisture is a recipe for ear infections.
If the rain simply doesn’t seem to be easing up anytime soon, organize a doggie playdate! We can’t think of anything cuter! Give your furry friends and their humans a ring, and gather together for a cosy meal or head out to a dog-friendly café! Who knows – a rainy day could become the best day for you and your dog!
