Has your pet ever been injured at the park, overheated on a hot day, or eaten something they shouldn’t have? Your pet is not the only one. Pets frequently manage to get themselves into unfortunate situations, and usually, their owner feels responsible. Fortunately, many pet emergencies are preventable. Our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team has compiled this “How To” list to help ensure you and your pet do not need an emergency clinic. 

How To: Prevent toxin ingestion

When pets find something new or unfamiliar, they instinctively want to investigate by touching, smelling, or tasting. Unfortunately, these things are usually unfamiliar to pets for a reason—they shouldn’t be around them. When ingested, certain household products, foods, and plants can be toxic to pets and cause serious illness and intestinal blockages. Remember “How To” avoid run-ins with common toxins: 

  • Store household items out of reach — A large variety of household products, such as prescription medications, laundry detergent, paint, fertilizer, and pesticides, are toxic to pets when ingested. Keep all items securely in cabinets or drawers, or on high out-of-reach shelves. 
  • Do not feed your pet people food — While some food we eat is safe to share with pets, many favorite foods, like chocolate, grapes, garlic, onions, and sugar-free sweets with xylitol, are toxic to pets. Clean up thoroughly after cooking and eating dishes with toxic ingredients, and keep your food on your plate—never your pet’s. 
  • Buy only pet-safe plants — Decorating your home with flowers and plants is a fantastic idea—as long as you purchase pet-safe plants. Many plants, including lilies, peonies, tulips, and azaleas, are toxic to pets when ingested. Before your next trip to the flower shop, research which plants are toxic and nontoxic to pets. 

How To: Prevent heatstroke

Heatstroke is a common but dangerous occurrence in pets, especially during the summer when the sun seems inescapable. Follow these “How To’s” to prevent your pet from overheating: 

  • Provide constant water — Ensure your pet has multiple cool water sources around the house and on walks to stay hydrated and cool. 
  • Limit outdoor activity — The best way to avoid overheating is to limit time and exercise in the hot sun. Also, take several short walks during the cooler early mornings or late evenings. 
  • Provide water activities — Setting up a kiddie pool or sprinkler system in the yard is a great way to keep your pet cool and entertained, and make them tired, on hot days. 
  • Don’t leave your pet in the car — You may crack your car windows and park in the shade, but inside temperatures can still rise rapidly and put your pet at risk of heatstroke. Never leave your pet in the car, no matter how quickly you think you’ll be back. 

How To: Prevent playtime injuries

Pets always seem happiest when they’re playing, whether with you, other pets, or their favorite toys. However, playtime can have hidden dangers. Consider “How To” make playtime safe for your pet by: 

  • Monitoring interactions with other pets — Most dogs enjoy socializing and playing with other dogs. Sometimes, however, best friends argue, so always monitor your dog when they play with others. Watch for discomfort or stress signs, such as stiffness, raised fur, pinned ears, exposed teeth, or growling, and remove your pet from the situation immediately. 
  • Buying properly sized toys — Rotating through your pet’s toys is important to keep your pet entertained and their cognitive ability sharp. Ensure the toys are made of appropriate material and the proper size for your pet’s breed and behaviors. For example, ensure your large dog’s toys are not so small that they could be swallowed and be a choking hazard or intestinal obstruction. If your pet tends to shred their toys, buy toys made of sturdy material that they can’t tear off into small pieces that they then ingest. 
  • Keeping your pet leashed — The best trained pets can still have accidents. Unless your pet is in a safe, fenced-in area, keep them leashed at all times to prevent injury from a car or a run-in with another animal. 

It’s that simple! Now you know “How To” prevent your pet from emergency situations, you can worry less. However, despite all your attempts, accidents do happen. Should your pet ever need veterinary care, contact our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team right away.