5 Hidden Dangers For Dogs You Need To Know

 As a dog owner, you’ll undoubtedly want to make sure your canine companion is at his or her best. You might feed your dog the best food and give them plenty of love, attention, and exercise each day.

But, are you aware of the hidden dangers to your dog that may lurk in and around your home? Don’t worry because a lot of dog owners seldom know about those hidden dangers. Here are 5 of the top hidden dangers you need to know and how your dog can avoid them:

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1. Rodents

Some people keep rodents like mice and rats as pets and look after them like any other household pet. However, wild rodents that roam the outdoors can pose serious health risks to dogs (and humans, for that matter). But, just how serious is the problem posed for dogs?

Mice and rats can bite dogs if they’re scared and feel they are in danger. A bite from a rodent can cause serious problems for dogs because rodents can transmit leptospira bacteria. That results in leptospirosis: an infection that can often be fatal to dogs of all ages.

You can take practical steps to minimize the risk of your canine companion getting bitten by a mice or rat. Examples include:

• Pest control surveys. Pest Authority and other pest controllers can check your home inside and out for rodent infestations and help you eradicate the problem;
• Store sealed garbage outside. Rodents will bite through plastic garbage bags to find discarded food to eat. Store your waste in trash cans or locked dumpsters.

2. Food and Drink

You would think that food and drink isn’t an issue for dogs. However, there are some foods and beverages you should never give to a dog or let them eat if someone in your household drops it on the floor. The foods dogs should steer clear of include:

• Chocolate;
• Candy;
• Coffee;
• Alcohol;
• Raw cooking ingredients, such as raisins, avocados, onions, garlic, and salt.

Suppose your dog has accidentally ingested even a small quantity of the above. In that case, you must immediately take them to Shallowford Animal Hospital or your preferred local animal hospital for treatment to help them expel the contents of their stomach.

3. Toys

All dogs enjoy playing with toys as it gives them mental stimulation and helps them stay fit and healthy. There are many different toys available to buy that get marketed as dog-friendly. And while that might be the case, the problem with those toys is when dogs break them.

It’s no secret that many dog toys get manufactured out of plastic for durability reasons. The trouble is, when dogs chew through those plastic toys, some pampered pooches might try to swallow them.

As you can imagine, when that happens, you’ll have to take your dog to your nearest animal hospital for treatment. Firstly, fragments of broken dog toys can pose choking hazards. And secondly, the jagged edges of plastic toys can cause internal tearing and bleeding.

You should keep in mind that those same hidden dangers also apply to dogs that chew and swallow toys for children. Always supervise your dog whenever he or she plays with toys, and keep children’s toys stored away from dogs.

4. Small Household Items

Most households will have things like remote controls and toys that require batteries to operate. If you leave batteries lying around within easy reach of dogs, the temptation for dogs to chew on those items might be too much to resist.

The same applies to other small items used regularly in households, such as buttons, rubber bands, and twist ties. Some dog breeds are more likely to pick up small household items and chew on them than others.

Still, irrespective of your dog’s breed, you should try to keep anything remotely interesting to a dog out of sight.

5. Small Animal Bones

There’s no denying that most, if not all dogs, will enjoy chewing on bones. If you live in a household where chicken and similar food gets eaten regularly, you might get complacent about where you discard the bones.

Let’s be clear: the only bones you should ever allow a dog to have are large ones sold by pet stores. Never give your dog discarded chicken bones as they can splinter and cut your dog’s mouth or puncture their stomach or esophagus.

Make sure you always dispose of chicken and other small animal bones in your garbage soon after you’ve eaten your meals.