Trained Dogs Rock
Backyard Dangers: Why the Life of Your Dog May Be At Risk
I imagine that you think your dog will be perfectly safe when he is out playing in your backyard. This is especially true if you have a nice fenced area, but there are dangers there that can seriously injure, or even kill, your four-legged friend.
Most dogs love to use the backyard as their own personal playground, but the dangers are everywhere, especially if you have a young dog. Puppies, as you know, have an oral fixation that makes them want to chew on everything they see.
The most at risk age for dogs is one to six months, but there are also breeds that carry their chewing habits into adulthood. There are many breeds that seem to pick up the chewing habit early and never really break free of it.
Backyard Dangers to be On the Lookout For
Being a good dog owner takes a lot of work, and if you have a busy schedule, you may find it difficult to learn all you need to know about raising a happy, healthy dog. That may mean not knowing about backyard dangers, which is why we have compiled a list below.
The following list is made up from reports delivered by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCS).
- Compost heaps and fertilizers.
- Ponds that have blue-green algae in them.
- Toxins from animals such as spiders, toads, snakes, scorpions, and bugs.
- Chemicals and other treatments used in swimming pools.
- The poisons used in the citronella candles that repel mosquitoes.
- Mulch with cocoa used in the ingredients.
- Methomyl based fly traps.
- Plants that are considered poisonous, such as sago palm, grape vines, azalea, etc.
- Slug and snail traps that contain metaldehyde.
Try to be as proactive at puppy-proofing the backyard as you are inside your own home. Make sure that pool supplies are locked away, garbage cans are securely closed, and that all lawn and garden materials are properly stored.
When using pesticides, bug sprays, and fertilizers, read the instructions for use and follow them to the letter. One way to make things a whole lot safer is to look for all-natural varieties of these types of products. Talk to your vet and your landscaper to see if they have any suggestions that can help you protect your pet.
If you are concerned that you puppy may have gotten into something he shouldn’t, or had been bitten or stung, call your vet immediately.
