We have been getting so much rain in Central Florida this year. I don’t know about you, but my dog always has to go to the bathroom when it is pouring down rain! Dogs are great pets, but no one enjoys the smell of a wet dog. I wish I had a cure all solution, but at least I have a few tips.

The easiest solution is to get out your umbrella to cover you and your dog from the incoming rain. You can also use bushes or buildings to try and block as much rain as possible. You could purchase a doggie raincoat or if you have a larger dog, a baby horse blanket would probably fit better. But, your dog will still get wet from the rain that has already fallen. You can purchase doggie rain boots, but they can be very difficult to get your pet adjusted to them. The easier answer is to dry off your dog and then spray some odor eliminating coat mist on his coat. It will keep your pet smelling much better in between baths! As always, we would love to give you professional advice specific to your pet. Just bring your pet in to Celebration Veterinary Hospital.

Too many dogs are overweight and are much more prone to suffer from several health problems, like arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular health issues and early death. Dieting and exercise individually are often not enough and a healthy combination of both are more effective. Over time, it is important to make sure that your dog is living at a healthy weight.

To start an exercise routine, start your dog exercising for 15 minutes a day. Then, build up to at least 30 to 60 minutes a day. For their diet, make sure you are feeding them lean proteins. Chicken breast, minced beef and white fish are excellent sources of lean protein.

Bring your dog into Celebration Veterinary Hospital to discuss your dog’s individual exercise and dietary needs. Every breed and dog are unique, so individual analysis is vital to make sure that your dog’s health is top notch.