Dog owners often find themselves putting their pet in danger without even being aware of it.
There are times when taking care of a dog is not as simple as it may seem, and even owners who have the best of intentions might make a mistake or two along the road.
According to information provided by veterinarians, there are a few things that you should never do to your dog.
Never allow your dog to run with a stick in their mouth.
There are certain dogs that appear to be born with the ability to play retrieve and enjoy running around with sticks and branches in their mouths.
On the other hand, a veterinarian named Jason Nicholas from Preventive Vet told Insider that unfortunately, allowing your dog to run around with a stick or throwing a stick for them to grab can result in a tragic outcome.
A significant number of dogs are suffocated by the sticks that their owners have thrown for them to retrieve on an annual basis. “The dog will run onto the other end of the stick in their excitement in response to the fact that one end of the stick will “stuck” in the ground,” said Nicholas.
In addition to being extremely painful and upsetting for both the dog and the owner, these injuries have the potential to result in the dog’s death. So, rather than throwing a stick made of wood, you could try throwing a ball or a toy made of soft rubber.
Don’t put your dog on a retractable leash.
In an interview with Insider, Michelle Szydlowski, a veterinarian and anthrozoology instructor at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida, stated that it is strongly recommended that dog owners never use retractable leashes on their canine companions.
The possibility of friction burns occurring in the event that these leashes become twisted around your hand is a concern. In the event of an emergency, it is difficult to retract them, and your dog may sustain injuries or cause injuries to other people, as stated by Szydlowski.
However, according to ABC News, gripping a dog’s retractable leash in an attempt to stop them from running can result in serious lacerations and even amputations. Many retractable leashes reach up to ten feet or more and may be manufactured out of cord that is thinner than that of a standard leash.
Never yank on your dog’s leash or use a choke collar.
It may be important to pull on your dog’s leash on occasion in order to prevent them from fleeing into danger; but, yanking on their leash on a regular basis might lead to a neck fracture.
To maintain order, you should never pull on a leash. The hyoid bone, which is located close to the base of the tongue, is susceptible to fractures in dogs. Szydlowski stated that these fractures have the potential to create a wide variety of issues.
Additionally, the use of a choke collar, which tightens when the dog pushes away from its owner, is a risky practice. According to Szydlowski, these collars have the potential to induce “incomplete hanging,” which is a condition in which the dog ultimately passes away due to the compression of the neck while they are still lying on the ground.
It’s never a good idea to put sunscreen on your dog.
To shield its skin from the sun, your dog has a thick coat of fur that covers its entire body. When you have a dog, be sure that sunscreen is kept out of their reach and off their bodies because it can be dangerous to them.
The zinc oxide that is found in sunscreen has the potential to cause significant harm to the intestines of a dog if it is consumed. The consumption of these goods can result in your dog experiencing bloody diarrhea and bloody vomit, both of which are symptoms of injury to the intestinal tract, as stated by veterinarian Rachel Barrack.
Don’t use any antibiotic ointment on your dog without a vet’s supervision.
In the event that your dog cuts or scrapes themself, it is only natural to want to provide medical attention to them. However, Barrack cautioned that antibiotic ointments that are intended for human use should never be used to dogs.
In some cases, it is not safe to administer medications designed for human use, especially those that are applied topically, to animals.
Neomycin, which has been associated with hearing loss, is one of the components that is found in common antibiotic ointments. According to Barrack, you should not apply neomycin or antibiotic ointment externally to your dog without first talking with your veterinarian.
Dogs shouldn’t have access to your bathroom and if they do, make sure to pet-proof the space.
While speaking with Insider, Barrack emphasized the need of preventing large breeds, in particular, from entering the bathroom and staying away from the toilet.
Your dog or cat should not drink the water that is contained in toilet bowls since it is not clean enough for them to drink. In order to prevent your large-breed dog from getting into the bowl, make sure the cover is down,” stated Barrack.
There are a lot of bathrooms that, in addition to containing dirty water, contain cleaning chemicals and personal care items that could be harmful to dogs. It might be preferable to keep the door to the bathroom closed if you have a dog that is really inquisitive.
It can be dangerous to give your dog ice to play with or to eat.
The majority of dog owners, when the temperature rises, either put ice cubes in their dogs’ water bowls or give their dogs a cube to play with.
On the other hand, Nicholas noted that it is not at all beneficial for dogs to chew on ice.
It is not uncommon for ice to be the cause of broken dog teeth, particularly the larger teeth that are located near the rear of their mouth. Nicholas stated that these shattered teeth are excruciatingly painful and have a high risk of becoming infected, which would necessitate either a root canal or the removal of the tooth.
When it comes to warm-weather dog treats, plain, cold water or frozen wholesome veggies that are acceptable for dogs, such as carrots or sweet potatoes, are preferable options.
Avoid feeding your dog table scraps.
If you want to avoid your dog eating leftovers from the dinner table, you should not let him do so.
“Feeding your dog meat scraps and other fatty foods, like bacon, can easily lead to a serious and painful bout of pancreatitis or other digestive upset for your dog,” Nicholas informed Insider of the situation.
According to Nicholas, a diet consisting of table scraps can also offer your dog the opportunity to ingest an excessive amount of calories, which can lead to weight gain or obesity.
Don’t ever give your dog alcohol.
In spite of the fact that you might not have to be very concerned if your pet drinks a drop of wine that has been dropped on the floor, it is essential to be aware that dogs can experience significant adverse effects as a result of consuming alcohol.
“Pets should never be given alcohol, which depresses the nervous system,” Barrack stated to reporters. Hypothermia, diarrhea, and vomiting are among of the symptoms that might be brought on by this reduction in the neurological system.
Not to mention the fact that many drink mixers include the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is hazardous to dogs even in very little amounts. This is something that should be taken into consideration.
Dogs should never be left in the car unattended, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
Szydlowski noted that even a short period of time spent in a hot automobile can be lethal for a dog. This is because cars heat up very quickly when the weather and temperature are warm.
“Dogs overheat very easily, and this can cause severe brain damage and other issues … even with the windows cracked, your dog can become hyperthermic in a matter of minutes,” according to Szydlowski.
