Previously, I wrote about the importance of safeguarding your dog from environmental hazards on the inside of our homes.  There is also a multitude of hazards that surround us outside of those walls.  In the garage, the shed and the yard we continually store items that could cause fatal injuries and illnesses to our pets.  We often assume that our dogs will know what to steer clear of and what to avoid, forgetting that one of a dog’s key personality traits is his desire to investigate all unusual sights and smells that are in his “territory.”  It is our responsibility to make all potentially dangerous findings inaccessible to our pets.

The garage is a good place to begin seeking out dangerous products to keep away from our dogs.  Dogs will find the odor of these chemicals appealing and their curiosity will lead them to root through the garage to get to the toxins.   Antifreeze, coolants, gasoline, paint and paint thinners just top the long list of toxic hazards for a dog.  If ingested or inhaled, these chemicals can not only make your dog extremely sick, but too often end in a fatal result.  Keeping these products locked in cabinets, high on shelves or stored in completely sealed containers can be lifesaving for your pet.  Please ask your veterinarian to provide you with a list of dangerous chemicals that may be found around your property.  

Our dogs love to spend time in their yards and consider it their domain.  We jeopardize our dog’s domain when we smother our grass, brush and flowers with insecticides and fertilizers.  A dog finds these smells too appealing to pass by without laying his mark and, in doing so, will stick his curious nose right into the new smell.  Again, these are toxic chemicals that are not meant for inhalation or consumption.  Animals can get these chemicals in their mouth by licking their paws, skin and fur that have been in contact with the poisonous chemicals.  The labels that are on insecticides and fertilizers will provide information about how to use a product safely and effectively; how to safely store the product; first aid instructions; and phone numbers to call for help or more information.

Sometimes the choices we make that are pleasing to the eye are also what a dog finds as a pleasing snack to munch on.  The flowers, leaves, shrubs and ivy that provide us with lush, colorful and lavish visual enjoyment can often lead to our pet’s demise.   A nibble here and a taste there lead a dog to severe abdominal, respiratory and heart toxicity.  Whether the leaf of a shamrock, the roots of cyclamen, the seeds/nuts of a sago palm or the bulbs of tulips, they should all be off limits to your dog.  A few of the possible health issues that can develop when the dog eats from these plants and flowers include: vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, irregular heart rhythm, seizures, collapse of the nervous system, coma and even death. For a list of the many other plants and flowers that are toxic to your dog, please visit www.apcc.aspca.org (Animal Poison Control Center – The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). 

Another natural, unpleasant health threat to dogs is called coprophagy which means stool eating.  Many parasites, like giardia and coccidia, are likely to be transmitted through eating the stool of other dogs or cats.  It is also possible for dogs that eat feces to infect themselves with roundworms and whipworms if the stool has been on the ground for two or three weeks.  This can be prevented by deterring your dog from the stool of other animals; but, most importantly, by pet owners picking up after their pets.  The less mess on the ground, the less opportunity a dog will have to put someone else’s mess in his mouth. 

Then, there are the environmental hazards that are out of our control.  Dogs that live primarily outdoors need to be shaded from direct sunlight and excessive temperatures.  Just like humans, dogs can get sunburn and can suffer from heat stroke.  Over-exposure to heat and humidity causes heat stroke (hyperthermia) which is a quick killer for dogs. Along with excessive heat comes the risk of dehydration.  It is crucial that all pets have access to clean, fresh water while spending time outdoors in warm temperatures. Indeed dogs will get sunburn with overexposure to direct sunlight.  Dogs with white fur and dogs that have no color pigment on their nose are most susceptible to being burned.  To prevent burning, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that is specifically formulated for dogs.  Cold weather is just as dangerous as hot weather.  Hypothermia and frostbite are two very serious conditions brought on by extremely low temperatures.  These conditions can often result in the loss of your dog’s toes, or even a whole paw.  Many times, it is assumed that if a dog has a thick coat he is protected from dangerous winds.  This is absolutely not true because strong, gusty winds can blow debris into your dog’s eyes or carry heavier items through the air that could hit your pet causing serious injury.  For your dog’s health and safety, it is recommended to bring your dog inside and away from dangerous weather conditions. 

If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, infected or affected by outdoor environmental hazards call your veterinarian or local poison control center immediately.  Please do not wait for your dog to “ride it out” because while you wait your dog could be quickly deteriorating internally and losing function in vital organs.  It is always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with extreme hazards and your dog’s well being because, quite possibly, every minute counts.  We can’t keep our eyes on our pets every second of the day; however, we can be alert, cautious, conscientious and, above all, safe every second of the dog’s day.   

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