This post is brought to you in collaboration with Pet Armor and Mom It Forward, all opinions are my own.

In Florida summer seems to have come early, and with it, all the creepy crawlies and biting bugs have come out to play in the sunshine too. Pretty soon, summer will be striking its colors across the nation, and dogs everywhere will begin to be bothered by rising temperatures and an increasing number of biting pests. So, how do you make sure your pet stays cool and comfortable this summer? The four tips below can help you get your dog ready for summer, so you can both enjoy some fun in the sun.

Stop by for a Vet Exam

Summer or just before is a great time to check in with your vet for a yearly exam. If your dog is not current with its rabies shot, be sure to get one now. During warmer months, pet owners take their dogs outdoors more often, and they need to be protected. Checking for worms should also be done at this time.

Give Them a Trim

Some dogs have short hair all year long. Others like my mom's collie mix or our labradoodle tend to get longer hair in the winter. Help them along with their summer shedding by giving them a trim. This will make them more comfortable and cause them to shed less in your home.

Invest in a Flea and Tick Regimen

While flea and tick medicine may seem like an added expense, it is no different than buying bug spray for yourself. It is a layer of protection that helps keep you dogs from being nagged by biting pests and possibly contracting a disease. We recently were given the opportunity to try out PetArmor Plus IGR for our larger dog Doodle, and are really impressed with how well it worked for a fraction of the cost of a brand like FRONTLINE®


PetArmor Plus IGR contains fipronil, the No. 1 veterinarian-recommended active ingredient used in FRONTLINE® brand products*. The product also contains Novaluron, an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR)
that kills flea eggs and stops the reinfestation cycle. It kills fleas, ticks, chewing lice and flea eggs too!


Application is simple, you just open the tube and apply it to the skin from the back of the dog's neck to a spot midway between the neck and tail. It started visibly providing relief to our dog within 24 hours. Best of all, PetArmor Plus IGR is readily available at Walmart and fits better into our budget. Buying flea and tick medication for your dog can sometimes be tricky though, so some things to keep in mind before you buy include:

Consider your dog's species
Know your dog's weight
Consider the age of your pet
Don't use one tube to split between two animals
Never reapply medication before 30 days after the previous application