Veterinarian Shares Dog Park Tips – Medical Minute

Do you like to visit the dog park with your dog? It can be a fruitful experience and a great way for your furry friend to meet and bond with other animals, as well as a bonding experience for you and your pup! However, we want to make sure you’re aware of all the things you need to do and consider before heading to the dog park.

Is Your Pup Vaccinated and Protected?
Dog parks can be super fun, but there are some dangers to look out for. With so many dogs running around, it’s a prime spot for our pets to pick up parasites. They can pick up intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks. Before you take your dog down to the dog park, make sure they’re on an appropriate parasite prevention prescribed by your veterinarian.

Are They Microchipped?
The second thing we really want you to think about is identification on your pet. Make sure your pet has a microchip in the event that they were to get away from you. Hopefully that never happens, but if it does, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You’ll also want to make sure you have an up-to-date rabies tag and an identification on your pet’s collar. Anything you can do to get your pets home safely is what you want to do.

Is a Dog Park Even the Place for Your Dog?
The last thing you’ll want to think about is should you even take your dog to a dog park? All dogs have unique personalities. If your dog has a lot of anxiety, a lot of fear, or even aggression towards other dogs, it’s probably best to just avoid the dog park altogether. There are plenty of other things you can do in place of dog park trips to bond with your pet!