How to keep your dog healthy—and safe—at the dog park

Whether it’s making new friends, or enjoying an exciting game of “chase the tennis ball,” dog parks are an enjoyable place for canines and their owners. Yet as fun as these parks can be, there can be hidden health risks for your pup, says Dr. Jonathan Kaufman, a veterinarian and owner of Eastern Animal Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

How to keep your dog healthy at the dog park

Exercise is an important part of keeping your dog happy and healthy. Your pooch relies on you to avoid the hazards that running around at a community play area can bring. Here are the top conditions to watch out for, and what to do if your pet encounters one of these problems.

Giardia 

“One of the biggest concerns at city dog parks is giardia, an intestinal parasite,” Dr. Kaufman says. “Dogs can get giardia from drinking water or eating grass that has been contaminated by feces.”

Giardia can cause unpleasant symptoms including diarrhea, dehydration, and weight loss in dogs. If your dog is diagnosed with giardia, your veterinarian will prescribe fenbendazole and/or metronidazole for three to 10 days.

“The best way to prevent your dog from contracting giardia is to ensure they drink clean water and to frequent parks that are well-maintained,” Dr. Kaufman says. “Bring your own collapsible water bowl to the dog park, pick up your dog’s waste, and encourage other dog owners to do the same.”

Roundworms and hookworms 

If your dog likes to eat dirt, your furry best friend is at risk of contracting a hookworm or roundworm infection.

“These are intestinal parasitic worms,” Dr. Kaufman says. “Fortunately, heartworm medications that are recommended for all dogs are very effective at preventing and treating hookworms and roundworms.” 

If your dog is already on heartworm prevention, there’s a good chance you are already protecting them from hookworm and roundworm infections. If not, regular fecal testing at your veterinarian’s office is important to catch intestinal parasites so that they can be treated. 

Canine flu

Flu season isn’t just something for humans to worry about. Dogs can also contract canine flu, a highly contagious respiratory infection. “Canine flu can pass from one dog to another through direct physical contact or virus particles in the air,” Dr. Kaufman says. “It can also be transmitted through water bowls or toys used by infected dogs.” 

The best way to prevent the canine flu is to have your pet vaccinated every year. If your dog does contract canine flu, Dr. Kaufman says symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough and loss of appetite. Your vet may treat dog flu with antibiotics to prevent a secondary bacterial infection such as pneumonia, or cough suppressants to calm the cough. In severe cases IV fluids and hospitalization may be required to support your dog through the disease. 

Parvo

The canine parvovirus is a highly contagious intestinal virus that is spread through direct contact between dogs or through contact with infected surfaces. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies are at the greatest risk of contracting parvo.

“Parvo causes symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea,” Dr. Kaufman says. “It’s a very serious disease and dogs should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.”

Ensuring that your dog is vaccinated against parvo is the best way to prevent the disease. If the cost of vaccinations is an issue, there are many low-cost vaccine options offered at local pet shelters and pet stores.

Kennel cough

Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a common upper respiratory infection passed between dogs. Kennel cough can be used to describe a bacterial infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica, or it can be used to describe other strains of upper respiratory infections. Even if your dog has received a Bordetella vaccine to prevent kennel cough, Dr. Kaufman says there’s still a chance they can contract this canine respiratory disease. Like most vaccines, the Bordetella vaccine is not 100% effective, but being vaccinated can not only reduce the chance of getting the disease, but it also greatly reduces the disease’s severity if your dog does become infected. Kennel cough spreads from dog to dog through direct contact or contaminated water bowls or toys.

Symptoms of kennel cough include a “honking cough,” fever, or loss of appetite. If your veterinarian suspects kennel cough in your dog, antibiotics and cough suppressants may be prescribed. Your dog will also not be able to attend the dog park or other social events for many weeks until it is no longer contagious. The best way to prevent kennel cough is to keep your dog vaccinated and to bring your own water dish to the dog park. If your dog does develop a cough, do not take it to play with other dogs until it has been seen by a veterinarian.

Leptospirosis

If your dog loves drinking from puddles, there’s a chance of coming down with the bacterial disease, leptospirosis, says Dr. Carly Fox, a veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. In 2018, a Fremont, California, dog park was temporarily closed due to concerns of canine leptospirosis and vaccines for the disease have become part of the standard protocol at many veterinary clinics across the country. 

 “Leptospirosis is spread in the urine of infected animals,” Dr. Fox says. “Symptoms of infection can include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of energy, and loss of appetite.”

Infected dogs are treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline. “If left untreated, leptospirosis can lead to kidney failure in dogs,” Dr. Fox says.

Dr. Kaufman says it’s important to ensure your dog is up-to-date on all of his or her vaccinations before you head to the dog park. “Puppies shouldn’t be taken to dog parks until they are at least 17 weeks old and have been fully vaccinated,” he adds.

Lacerations or bite wounds

Pet owners often take their pups to the dog park for socialization, but unfortunately, they don’t always get along. “We see dogs who have been playing and then things suddenly get aggressive and turn into a skirmish where one of the dogs is injured,” Dr. Fox says.

Depending on the severity of the wound, your dog may require bandaging and antibiotics. 

“Dogs should know basic obedience commands such as “Sit, stay and come, in order to keep them under control at the dog park,” Dr. Fox says. “Also, it’s important to know your dog’s behavior. If they don’t like to share their ball, then don’t bring it to the dog park.” 

Heatstroke

When the weather gets warm, heat stroke can be a big concern with dogs, says Dr. Kaufman. 

“Dogs can develop heat stroke in as little as 30 minutes,” Dr. Kaufman says. “It’s important to keep your pet hydrated and to limit your dog’s time in direct sunlight to 15 minutes at a time.”

Dr. Kaufman says certain dog breeds with flat faces called brachycephalic breeds may be more prone to heat stroke. Some examples of brachycephalic breeds are boxers, bulldogs, pugs, and pekingese. Because these breeds have less heat tolerance they can struggle with heat stroke in situations where other dogs are fine. It is important to know your dog’s limits and encourage breaks to cool off if it has been playing too hard in hot temperatures.

“I think dog parks are great places,” Dr. Kaufman says. “In order to keep their dogs healthy, dog owners should stay vigilant and look for parks that require dogs to be licensed and vaccinated in order to ensure their safety.”