Rain rain, go away, Fido and kitty want to play. Reality? Rain is here to stay. But we’ve got a plan for you. NHV Pet Experts have put together 5 golden tips to prep your dogs and cats for the rainy season.

1. Trim their hair short

Don’t let your little lions and wolves lose the fluff altogether. They need their fur to keep them warm and their sensitive skin protected. But for the rainy season, just trim it short. Make sure that the hair is not being dragged along the ground. Not only can the rain make their soft fur get all knotty, but it can also hide icky things in those layers that can cause irritation. This tip goes out to all long-haired cat breeds too. Like Himalayan cats, Persian cats, Ragdolls, etc. Rainy season means muddy footprints around the house. Your indoor cat too can get dirtier than usual. it just makes sense to keep the fur short enough for you to spot an unwanted element easily. Use a lemon steeped in water spray to keep the surrounding area disinfected.

2. Groom groom groom. Ears and paws.

Unlike popular belief, grooming your pets around the rainy season is most important. Your dog might stop by every puddle in the park and come home dirty, forcing you to quit grooming until rains are over, but stay consistent and groom regularly, especially the paws and the ears. This is where the dirt sits. Dampen a cotton ball with a natural ear disinfectant like NHV Echo Gold (especially if your dog has long ears or has had ear infections in the past) or a solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts warm water. Use it to clean the insides and also the area around their ears.

Use a dry cloth to clean their paw pads. make sure the tufts of hair between their toes are clean and dry. You could pour some neem oil drops on a piece of cloth and gently dab the paws with it. Comb their fur extensively and after combing, use baby wipes to grab any loose fur. In the rainy season do this exercise every time your pet comes in from the outdoors. Our lead holistic vet Dr. Hillary Cook explains how to correctly clean your dog’s ears:

3. Emergency toilet training

Does your dog give you the “are-you-kidding-me look” when you ask her to head to pee outside in the rain? Are raincoats not working either? Prepare a little in advance by teaching them to go on command. On better days, try to reward your dog for going pooping in a spot close to your house. It shouldn’t be too far, and every time they use that spot, give them a nice treat. This way, your dog will not sniff plants and dilly-dally while both of you get drenched. She will instead go straight to business.

For emergency situations, keep a pee pad supply handy. Let your dog use the pee pad in a sheltered area around the house. Let it not be a spot where she usually rests or feeds. It could be a spot where she plays. Make sure you keep your dog clean down there. In the rainy season, their own sniffing powers can go for a toss. You will have to step up and do some cleaning, especially for senior pets.

4. Thunder troubles

Makes it easier for them to cope with loud noise and resulting tingling.

Rainy season can mean thunder and lightning. A lot of pets get awfully scared around those. It’s not just the noise that is disturbing them. It is also the tingling sensation produced by the change in air static. This tingling can sometimes be uncomfortable and hence, your pet might dread thunder. The best way out for a pet that shows extreme anxiety around the rainy season is to use a calming blend like NHV Lesstress for dogs and NHV Matricalm for cats. This calms nervous aggression and anxiousness. Makes it easier for them to cope with loud noise and resulting tingling.

You can also consider moving your pet into a porcelain tub or sink. Porcelain is a bad conductor of static and hence feels like a safe hiding spot for your pet. Spray lavender-infused water around the house to spread calm vibes around the house.

5. Indoor exercises

Your dog needs physical exercise 365 days a year. And little Fido can very much play indoors if you get a little innovative. Here are two awesome ideas for rainy day games with your dog. Other than these, a long walk in the rain with raincoats on, isn’t a bad idea either? Just do more repetitions of a smaller route and try to stay close to your house, in case the weather gets worse.

Your cat might be used to watching the birds and the squirrels in the summer and suddenly all he can see are grey skies and dripping roofs. Here are some ideas to make a fun outdoor-like space for your cat indoors. These will ensure entertainment and exercise. Indoor exercises are important in the rainy season to keep their appetite and metabolism healthy. A lazy pet is an unhealthy pet, so be prepared to play. Rain, hail, or sunshine!

Your pet will need some dietary help too. Make sure you feed them a healthy nutritious diet that keeps their immune system strong.

Rainy season can mean viral infections and even internal parasites. A healthy round of natural deworming from NHV Inulin PK will prove very beneficial these days. If you need help boosting their immunity or maintaining their general wellbeing, your NHV Pet expert will suggest a remedy or supplement right away. We do suggest adding Omega3 fish oils to your pet’s diet in this season. The heaters start working and the air is dry, some essential Omega3 fatty acids will help keep their joints and vitals healthy. NHV Pet Omega3 is a great fish oil blend to administer, once a day. NHV Heal Care Ointment can come in handy to keep their paws protected and discomfort-free. This ointment can even be massaged on their limbs to reduce any muscle fatigue. Pay special attention to the older pets, their joints and muscles ache badly around the rainy season (remember how grandma could feel rain in her bones?) We have a dedicated Winter Health kit for older cats and dogs. Ask us more about it! Don’t let the rain dampen your plans with your furry little kids. Whatever the rain may bring, there is always a holistic solution and we’ll help you with it.