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5 dangerous mistakes that could cut years off your dog’s life
As a pet owner, it’s your job to provide everything your dog needs to live a long and happy life, but that doesn’t just involve giving them the right food and taking them for checkups with the vet.
All kinds of seemingly minor mistakes can result in serious injury, illness or even death, which could cut years off your dog’s life. So, it’s important to be aware of them and make positive changes.
5 dangerous mistakes that could cut years off your dog’s life
Pet wellness export Angelo Sorbello, CEO of Pet Sprint, warns to be aware of these five things which could shorten the time you have with your pet.
1. Smoking around your dog
Firstly, smoking around your dog could have detrimental effects on their health. It’s no secret that secondhand smoke can harm humans, but many don’t realize that your dog can breathe in that smoke too and get unwell too.
It can result in serious health consequences such as eye infections, allergies, breathing issues and certain cancers including lung and nose, VCA Animal Hospitals explains. One study found that dogs in households containing smokers had a 60% higher risk of lung cancer.
Dogs can be exposed to thirdhand smoke too, which is the harmful residue that is left on surfaces like skin, clothes, furniture, carpets and floors. Dogs spend a lot of time licking these areas, and the tobacco particles can also get stuck in their fur.
2. Exposing them to toxins
Your pooch could be being exposed to harmful toxins around your home without you realizing too. Household cleaners, pesticides and even some plants can all be poisonous to your dog.
The Kennel Club reveals that all of these common household products are toxic: Chlorine bleaches, detergents, oven cleaners, drain cleaners, dishwasher tablets, dishwasher salt, kettle descalers and metal polishes.
These toxins can be life-threatening if ingested and require immediate medical attention, so it’s important to keep dangerous products in a place where your dog can’t access them, such as in a high-up cupboard.
3. Not socializing your dog
Did you know, not socializing your dog properly could cut your pet’s life short too? A lack of socialization at a young age can lead to anxiety, fear, and aggressive behaviour, all of which could cause serious problems.
For example, an anxious dog might run off during a walk when it is spooked and get run over by a car, while an aggressive pet could attack another dog and be seriously hurt.
During puppyhood, a dog must be exposed to all kinds of different people, places and experiences to help them become a happy, friendly and confident adult, the PDSA says. Socialization is especially important from 4-12 weeks but should continue beyond that.
4. Lack of mental stimulation
Dogs need lots of mental stimulation and not getting enough can lead to anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression and destructive behavior. Essentially, they have too much energy and are bored, so will start looking for things to stimulate them.
This can result in extremely dangerous behavior. For example, your dog could start chewing an electrical wire in your home or destroy one of their toys and get a part of it lodged in their stomach.
PetMD recommends taking your dog on a scent walk, buying them interactive toys, letting them munch on frozen fruit, playing hide and seek, hiding food around the house and doing some training to stimulate your furry friend.
5. Allowing excessive jumping
Finally, letting your dog jump off high furniture like beds and couches could be doing far more harm than you realize. Over time, it puts lots of strain on their joints, especially if you have a breed prone to hip dysplasia.
Like humans, dogs have a complex musculoskeletal system with various bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and cartilage which can all be injured while running, jumping, or playing, PetMD explains.
Avoid letting your dog jump on and off of furniture repeatedly, especially if they are overweight as this puts even more strain on their joints.
