April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. In a previous post, we offered tips on how to be prepared for an emergency. However, when it comes to pets, an ounce of prevention can be worth several pounds of cure. It’s much better to prevent injuries and accidents in the first place! Read on as a local Crown Point, IN vet discusses keeping your dog safe.
Petproofing
Dogs are very curious, which is one of their cutest traits. However, some of our canine pals are a bit too curious for their own good. They also like to learn about things by eating them, which can be quite dangerous. Make your home safe for Fido by removing or securing potential hazards, like toxic plants, chemicals, plastic bags and ties, medicine, vitamins, and anything small or sharp. If your pet has a habit of getting into the trash in search of leftovers, use a trash can with a secure lid.
Only Offer Safe Foods
Many of our favorite foods are poisonous to dogs. Never give Fido garlic, onions, scallions, or chives; pitted fruit; avocado; mushrooms; chocolate; alcohol; grapes, currants, or raisins, caffeine; meat on the bone; or anything that contains xylitol. Ask your vet for more information.
Training
Did you know that dogs can learn over 100 tricks? You don’t have to go that far, but it is important to make sure that your four-legged friend obeys basic obedience commands, like Sit, Stay, Heel, Come, and Lay Down . This is absolutely crucial for safety reasons. If you drop Fido’s leash or he runs out the door, you want to be sure you can call him back to you.
Good Fencing
Does your canine buddy have a yard to chase squirrels around in? If so, that’s great! Make sure that your fencing is sturdy, so Fido can’t go over or under it. We also recommend using a self-latching gate. Many dogs get lost because mailmen and meter-readers accidentally leave gates open.
Leashes
Always keep Fido leashed when you take him off your property. Retractable leashes are okay in some situations, but they can be dangerous at times. You don’t want to use them in areas with a lot of traffic, or in places where your furry pal could get entangled with another dog.
Please contact us, your Crown Point, IN pet hospital, anytime. We’re here to help!
