Dog safety tips are important for any responsible dog owner. There are potential hazards both inside and outside your home, and regular careful review of your dog’s surroundings is important. Ensure your dog’s environment is protected from common household products that can be dangerous to dogs. Secure “people food” where your dog cannot access it. Check any outside areas to which your dog has access, and be sure the things your dog plays with are safe for her.
One important dog safety tip is that common household chemicals and compounds can be very dangerous for dogs. These can be found both indoors and out, in storage areas like laundry rooms, garages, or even in your kitchen cabinet. Insect and rodent prevention products can be fatal if consumed. Automotive products, especially antifreeze, are also lethal for dogs. Lawn care products like plant food and insecticides are very dangerous, as well. Most households have these types of products; be sure to keep them in a secured place that your dog won’t get into.
Another important dog safety tip is many items commonly kept around the house can potentially be dangerous to your dog. String or dental floss can be swallowed by a dog and cause intestinal blockages. Be careful around the holidays that there is no tinsel on the floor or low branches of a Christmas tree; this can be very enticing to a dog. Toys with small parts or balls smaller than your dog’s mouth can be a danger. If you have children with toys that have small parts, do not leave them around your dog.
A very important dog safety tip is that dogs should eat dog food, not people food. A proper, balanced diet of quality dog food is important to your dog’s health. Besides not being ideal for him, some foods that humans eat can actually be harmful to your dog. Chocolate is very dangerous for dogs and should never be fed to them or left where a dog can get it. A compound in chocolate, theobromine, combines with the caffeine in the chocolate to cause a potentially fatal reaction. The smaller the dog and the higher the concentration of theobromine (the highest concentrations are in baking and dark chocolate), the more serious the danger. Plastic or foil wrappers around human food can also cause serious problems. Be sure all “people food” is kept safely away from your pooch.
Outdoor dog safety tips include ID tags being securely attached any time the dog leaves the house. Whether she is running around an enclosed yard or walking on a leash, ID tags are important. Be sure to regularly check the fence perimeter and gate areas of a fenced yard to be sure they are secure. Make sure your dog has sufficient shelter and shade, as well as fresh water when out in the yard.
A dog safety tip about toys: be sure the type and size of toys are appropriate for your dog. Very aggressive chewers need very tough toys. Remember that absolutely no toy is truly indestructible; check all toys frequently for signs of wear and get rid of them when any pieces that are small enough to be swallowed begin to come loose. Be careful with plush toys around very enthusiastic chewers, as these dogs may easily tear apart the toy and consume the stuffing inside. Be sure all toys are specifically made for dogs. Giving your dog a cat or baby toy may seem cute, but these products are not designed to withstand the type of play dogs engage in.
