4 ways to keep your dog healthy this autumn while outdoors

There's nothing quite like spending time in the great outdoors with your dog, and some people do more than visit the local park.

As Outdoor Living magazine reported, many hunters choose to bring their dogs along on their trips, increasing the risk of their pet developing a parasite infestation. Animals that spend time in heavily wooded areas without proper flea and tick control treatments are more likely to run into insects, some of which may harbor disease.

That being said, the news source is attempting to spread the word about protecting dogs that accompany hunters on their fall trips into the woods. There are also some strategies that pet owners can use to keep their animals safe from injury outdoors as well.

These tips are not only effective on hunting dogs - they can help maintain dog wellness when it comes to the everyday household pet as well. Here are some suggestions to take into account this autumn.

  1. Use a reliable flea and tick control product

    A product such as the Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs can keep fleas, ticks and mosquitoes away from dogs for up to seven months. This can give pet owners peace of mind while they're spending time with their animals outside in heavily wooded areas.

  2. Bring a first aid kit

    A first aid kit is not only practical for humans, but animals as well. Bringing bandages and cold compresses along for your trip can help you handle any unexpected injuries that your pet might have while running through the woods.

  3. Give your dog a form of identification

    This can either be done through a vet visit and having an identification chip implanted, or simply placing dog ID tags on a collar around your pet's neck. Identification is critical to ensuring that your pet never gets lost in the wilderness.

  4. Spot check your pet

    This means visually inspecting your dog's fur for any ticks that may have attempted to hitch a ride while you were outside. If you see a tick on your dog, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends removing it as soon as possible - tweezers can make the task easier.

This content is provided by the flea treatment experts at Hartz. We offer flea sprays, shampoos and drops to keep your pets safe inside and outside your home.