As a dog owner, you are responsible for your dog’s safety.
Dogs rely on us for their safety and survival, and the best way to protect them is to be armed with important knowledge.
You can start by having a go-to veterinarian and after-hours emergency care center identified in case of emergency. Responsible dog guardians stay alert to situations that are potentially dangerous for dogs - whether it's knowing how to safely restrain them in a car, helping them cope with extreme heat or cold, or locking away common hazards.
Dogs cannot regulate their body temperature as well as humans, so extremely hot and extremely cold temperatures both pose a health risk to your dog. Remember:
- Never leave your dog in a hot car unattended.
- Your dogs should live primarily indoors, particularly during weather that is not mild to moderate.
There are all kinds of dangers lurking around your house that can be harmful or even fatal to your dog if ingested. Many dog owners are unaware of several common poisons that lurk in their home and yard.
Here are more detailed tips to help you keep your dog safe and avoid potential problems.
10 Tips to Keep Your Dogs Healthy in Hot Weather
Dogs generally do not tolerate the heat well. This is especially true for short-snouted and flat faced dogs.
While the warm summer months can be fun for humans and dogs alike, it is important to keep your dog from getting overheated. Regardless of the size or breed of dog, you should never leave any dog outside for extended periods in the heat.
- Be cool. Dogs can easily suffer from heat exhaustion, so be sure to walk them either early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the midday heat. Dogs’ bodies are closer to the ground than ours, so they heat up quicker.
- Careful of the feet! Try to walk your dog on grass and avoid hot asphalt. Walking on hot roads or sidewalks can cause your dog’s pads to get burned.
- Small sips only. When you go out with your dog, take plenty of water with you, but do not allow your dog to drink it all at once. Smaller, more regularly spaced doses help avoid bloat and other dangerous or uncomfortable conditions.
- Get Wet! Swimming is a great way to quickly cool off your hot dog, but be sure not to tire him out too much. Even really good swimmers can tire to the point where it could get dangerous.
- Heat kills. You should not leave your dog in an unattended car for even a couple of minutes.
- Floaties! If you are out on a boat with your dog, be sure she is wearing a life preserver.
- Pee careful. Even the most housetrained dogs often scent mark new territory, so keep an eye on your dog when checking into a hotel room or vacation house.
- Travel Smart. If you take your dog on vacation with you, be aware that the dog could feel heightened anxiety by being left alone in a new place. Try to avoid long spells away until he has acclimated.
- Watch the sun. Some light-colored dogs need to wear sunscreen around their most vulnerable areas. Consult your vet to see if this is something that applies to your dog.
- Cool Pads. A really great way to cool your dog during the summer is to provide a kid’s paddling pool. Dogs sweat through their pads, so a great way to cool down quickly is to get their feet wet.
5 Tips to Keep Your Dogs Healthy in Cold Weather
Some dogs are more tolerant of the cold than others, but it is important to keep every dog safe and warm during cold winter months. Above all else, you should never leave any dog outside for extended periods during inclement weather.
- Bundle Up! Dogs are closer to the ground than humans and therefore can get cold quicker. Be aware of this and use a warm sweater or coat if your dog needs it.
- Don't Eat the Salt. If the roads have been salted because of icy or snowy conditions, wash your dog's paws after a walk to prevent ingestion of potentially harmful road salt or grit.
- Clean the Pads. Snow can gather and harden in between your dog's paws, making it very uncomfortable for your dog to walk. Be sure to keep her paws ice-free.
- Walk Warmer. Try and take your dog out during the warmest part of the day and do shorter walks if your dog is feeling the cold.
- Stay In Shape. Dogs can put on weight during the winter as cold conditions can be off-putting for humans! But exercise is still important, so wrap up warm and get out there.
3 Types of common dangers to dogs that are often overlooked
Retractable leashes
Although retractable leashes might seem like a convenient way to allow dogs extra freedom, they come with important risks. Dogs can easily run into the street at the end of a retractable leash, as the person has no control over the dog’s direction or movements.
- Certain types of retractable leashes can cause severe burns or other injuries to your dog or to your arms and hands.
- Retractable leashes can strangle your dog, especially if he were to get away from you and panic.
Outdoor poisons and toxic hazards
Be aware that these common substances pose serious health risks to dogs.
- Antifreeze. Because of its sweet taste, antifreeze is a dangerous attractant to dogs. It can be deadly to both dogs and cats even in quantities as small as one teaspoon. Pet owners should choose antifreeze that contains propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
- Fertilizer and lawn chemicals. Always monitor what your dog is doing outside. Chemicals used in lawns and gardens can be fatal if ingested by your pet.
- Cocoa mulch. This is a type of mulch commonly sold home and garden improvement stores, and its chocolate scent can make it dangerously appealing to pets. It can be fatal if ingested.
- Rodent traps and poisons. Traps meant for rodents can often cause injury and illness to pets. If you use rodent traps or poisons, make sure they are far out of reach of any pets.
- De-icing salt. On cold, snowy days make sure that you wash and dry your dogs’ paws immediately when they come inside. If your dog gets de-icing salt on its paws and then licks it off, he could be susceptible to poisoning.
Indoor poisons and toxic hazards
Dogs may be safe from weather extremes inside our home, but they can still encounter serious safety risks there.
- Human medications. Never give your dog any type of human medication without first consulting your veterinarian. Medications like aspirin, cold medicine, vitamins, and diet pills can all be highly dangerous to your pets.
- Holiday decorations. Many pet owners love to decorate for the holidays, but it’s important to be mindful of your pets’ interactions with these items. Holiday lights especially can pose a risk to both dogs and cats.
- Chocolate. It is commonly known that chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats. Baking chocolate and semisweet chocolate carry the highest risk of toxicity to your dog.
- Meat bones. It is common for dog owners to want to “throw their dog a bone,” but eating leftover bones can pose an extreme health hazard to your dogs. These bones are prone to shattering and ingestion can be fatal in some cases.
- Human food. Some other human food items to keep away from your dog include grapes or raisins, alcohol, macadamia nuts, onions, and onion powder.
