It’s Pet First Aid Awareness Month, and although you might think it’s just a time for pet owners to learn how to help our pets in emergency situations, there’s actually much more to it than that. Of course, it’s super important for people to know how to help their pets in an emergency and even take a pet first aid class, but it’s also important to know how to prevent pet emergencies. Learning to keep your dogs and cats safe can mean you’ll avoid dangerous situations that might result in a trip to your veterinarian or even an emergency clinic.You’ve probably heard that old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and it really is true. By taking a few steps to prevent accidents, you and your pet can avoid painful injuries and illnesses (and worse), as well as time and money spent on medical care.
Here are a few important tips to help keep your pets safe and healthy:
- If you walk your dog during the hot summer months, walk early in the morning when the streets and sidewalks aren’t as hot as they are later in the day. This way your dog’s feet won’t be burned by hot asphalt or cement.
- Keep antifreeze where your pets can’t get to it. Dogs especially like the sweet taste but it’s extremely deadly.
- Be sure your pets have tags on them at all times, but also be sure the contact information on those tags is up to date!
- Keep such things like string, tinsel, yarn, and thread away from your cat. Cats like to swallow all of these things, and when they do, it can get twisted in their intestines. This can result in emergency surgery to remove the item.
- Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise – this helps keep you and your pet healthy! Exercise keeps weight down, is good at warding off arthritis and hip dysplasia, and helps keep the immune system healthy. It’s also a great way to spend time with your pet and have some fun.
- Take a pet first aid course and learn how to handle emergencies when they do happen. It only takes one accident to wish you knew first aid skills!
- If you use mulch in your garden, check the bag to be sure it’s not cocoa mulch. This type of mulch contains theobromine, which is the chemical in chocolate that can cause serious illness (and sometimes, death) to your pets.
If you’d like to know more about keeping your pet healthy and safe visit Austin Pet First Aid on Facebook, where I’ll be posting more tips throughout the month. You don’t have to be in Austin to become a fan! If you are in Austin though, and would like to take a pet first aid course, visit the Austin Pet First Aid website and register for an upcoming class.
