Safety Tips to Keep Your Dog in Tip-Top Shape Taking care of your dog is like taking care of the people you love. Avoiding excesses and practicing safety precautions will help you have a happy, healthy pet. Of course, that is sometimes easier said than done. What exactly should you avoid and what should you do to keep your pet safe? Below are some really short but sweet tips that can help you take care of your dog and maybe even save his or her life. Chemical Dangers There are many chemicals used in households that may be potentially poisonous to your pet. The same chemical products that make your life easier, could kill a pet instantly. An example of this is the antifreeze that you often put in your car during winter. Antifreeze contains toxic chemicals but can taste appealing to a thirsty pet if it is left on the ground where the animal can drink it. Make sure all dangerous chemicals are out of the reach, not only of children, but also your pets. Appropriate Food Animals, especially dog and cats, can generally eat whatever people eat. However, it is still advisable to give them food that is made especially for them. Sharing "people food" can lead to obesity, poor nutrition and in some cases, illness or death (See Chocolate Dilemma below.) If you still feel that pet food is not something you want your pets to have, ask the veterinarian for some suggestions of food that you can safely buy and/or prepare for them. The Chocolate Dilemma Although we can eat as much chocolate as we want, dogs are not as lucky. Chocolate has an ingredient called theobromine that is really harmful for pets. So no matter how tempting it may be to share such a treat, do not give chocolate to your pet. Temperature Trouble Never forget to let your pet inside the house during the winter season. Like people, they run the risk of getting hypothermia when exposed to the cold. You should make sure they are kept warm, even when inside the house. A soft blanket or pet bed on a hardwood floor can make a world of difference to a sleeping pet on a chilly night. Heat can be just as much of a killer for pets. Be sure to provide adequate shade and water if your pet is outdoors when it is hot. You may also want to limit exercise unless, of course, your pet is swimming! Visit Your Veterinarian Regularly Visit the vet every six months to a year and your dog checked, even if nothing is really wrong. This will ensure that your pet is kept healthy and strong. It is better to nip a health condition in the bud rather than to wait until your pet is sick when it may be too late to treat them effectively. Be sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations, including the rabies vaccination. They are good for one to three years and rabies is required for licensing. Regular check-ups are a good time too to ask the vet to check for internal parasites and provide medication if found. You may also want to consider purchasing flea and tick protection from your veterinarian. The most effective types are applied topically every three months or given orally. Treating your pet in this manner can keep them (and you) more comfortable and possibly stop the spread of diseases and skin conditions caused by fleas and ticks. Emergency Numbers You have 911 in your phone book, make sure that you also have your veterinarian’s version of 911. Keep the emergency number in a place where it can be found easily. (Better yet, put it on your speed dial.) Let members of the family, babysitters and other guests know where it is. This will be a great help in times when the veterinarian is needed immediately and you are not at home. Even if you are at home when a crisis occurs, having the number handy could save your pets life when seconds count and you may be panicked. Proper Hygiene Make sure that your pet is well-groomed at all times. You don’t really have to go to a special pet salon and have them groom your pet to perfection. You can do it yourself. Just make sure that you bathe and groom your pet regularly. Do not forget to cut their nails as this is one of the most basic transmission points of bacteria and diseases. A veterinarian or dog groomer can teach you to safely do this on your own. Travel Blues If you travel, make sure you have all the necessary equipment to allow your pet to travel comfortably and safely. If traveling in a vehicle, make sure you keep in mind where and when you will need to stop for your pet and any restrictions you may come across regarding pets along the way. Remember, many places do not allow animals. Never leave your pet in a vehicle on a hot day and be sure to provide adequate air and water no matter what the temperature. If you are flying you should consider that only some airlines allow specific types of pets in flight. Pets are typically not allowed in the cabin of the airplane on most airlines. They will need some sort of cage while they are being transported by air. Consult the airline about restrictions and requirements when booking any reservation. Also be sure to ask about safety precautions the airline uses if your pet must fly in the baggage compartment. Lost Pets You can help insure the return of a lost pet if you have them micro-chipped at an early age. The microchip is inserted under the skin (usually by a veterinarian or animal shelter technician.) The chip has a unique number that is registered to your name and contact information (Be sure to keep the contact info current with the chip manufacturer.) When a pet is found and taken to any vet or animal shelter, a technician scans the animal with a wand which identifies the chip number. Your contact information is then retrieved from the manufacturer and your pet can be returned to you quickly. To help prevent a pet from roaming, it is also a good idea to have them spayed or neutered. This will also help control overpopulation of unwanted animals. Beagles . Bichon Frise . Bloodhounds . Boston Terriers . Boxers . Breeders . Bulldogs . Bull Terriers . Chihuahuas . Chows . Collies . Dalmations . Doberman Pinschers . German Shepherds . Golden Retrievers . Greyhounds . Jack Russel Terriers . Labrador Retrievers . Miniature Pinschers . Newfoundlands . Poodles . Pugs . Rottweilers . Saint Bernards . Siberian Huskies . Cocker Spaniels . Yorkshire Terriers . Dog Breeders . Choosing the Right Dog . Health Facts for Dogs . Preventative Health Care for Dogs . Dog Safety .