A year in the life of a Dog

A brief outline of events and dangers to dogs – month by month by Finchley Dog Walker

Pets are generally very precious to all pet lovers, and they care for them throughout the year. In this article, we are discussing dangers to your dog in each month of a calendar year and tips to resolve those issues at the earliest.

January

Ice and snow along with Anti-freeze and rock salt

January hazards to your dog include snowy grounds all around the corners. After a heavy snowfall, applying certain chemicals on driveways is public practice. These chemicals can get onto an animal’s uncovered skin when out on a dog walk and cause irritation and certain skin infections. Another problem with dogs in the winter season is car antifreeze. Ethylene glycol, a commonly used car antifreeze, works as a noxious poison for dogs. It is harmful to such an extent that even one to two teaspoons of the chemical as mentioned above can be fatal for your dog. Be careful and avoid using antifreeze if you want to take your dog in the car somewhere. Secondly, you can switch to propylene glycol as a relatively safer car antifreeze.

February

-Chinese New Year and the Dangers of Lanterns

Each year Chinese people celebrate their new year, which is based on the Chinese lunar calendar. However, it always lies in the period of 21st January to 20th February. They celebrate this festival by concluding a family reunion, giving red envelopes, firecrackers, new clothes, and decorations. Lightening lanterns on New Year is a very common practice in China. A little negligence can lead to harmful consequences. Unlike Halloween, fireworks are an important component of Chinese New Year celebrations. However, your dog might get frightened by the sudden noise. This is because sudden sharp noise causes increased heart rate, increased secretion of adrenaline hormone and an increase in stress hormones circulating through the body. As with Halloween, make sure you get any dog walking down in the daytime so you can be home and safe when it starts to get dark.

Valentine’s Day – dangers of chocolate, and candles etc

Chocolate is one of the major components of the Valentine’s Day celebration. Chocolates cause abnormally high heartbeat in dogs. Also, sugar-free candies and sweets contain significant content of “Xylitol”, which is toxic for dogs. Flowers are import part of this special day’s celebration. Although roses do not cause serious health problems, certain other flowers like lilies and daffodils are poisonous flowers for dogs.

Easter

Flowers, especially lilies, are an important part of the Easter celebration. However, it should be acknowledged that there are some spring plants that do not pet friendly and may cause serious medical issues. Also, artificial plastic grass is commonly used to decorate Easter egg and chocolate baskets. It can be harmful because the plastic in this artificial grass is non-digestible. It can stick in the intestines leading to intestinal blockages.

Summer and dogs

For a dog owner, it is important to remember that dogs are highly exposed to diseases related to hot weather. These include heatstroke, sunburn and foot and pad burns. The most dangerous condition is heat stroke which occurs when a dog begins overheating. Its implications include organ failure, brain malfunctioning and blindness. In extreme cases, it may lead to a painful death. Apart from overheating, dogs can get dehydrated very quickly and hence it is equally important to keep your dog hydrated all over the day. Make sure plenty of fresh and clean water is available to them. Water alternatives are especially great for pets since they replenish electrolytes and taste great. As well as water, try and do your dog walking either early in the morning or the evening so that you avoid the hottest part of the day

And remember, dogs die in hot cars.

Holidays with Dogs

If you are thinking to take your dog with you on holiday, make sure you choose the appropriate weather. It can be dangerous to take a dog outdoors in snowy weather. Before taking your pet on holiday, Check with your vet to ensure that your pet is healthy and safe to travel. If they need any medication, keep this with you so that you can use it in case of an emergency. Make sure all vaccinations, flea and worm treatments are up-to-date. Take pet-friendly accommodation and make your dog used to the carrier.

Poisonous Plants and Flowers

After an extended horizon of winters and autumn, spring is warmly welcomed by everyone across the world. Although this season brings many new and positive aspects, new flowers and plants might sometimes cause diseases in humans and animals. If you have a pet at your home, you need to take preventive measures before the start of this season to ensure that your pets are safe from environmental issues. Poisonous flowers and plants include daffodil, tulip, Oleander, Cyclamen, Amaryllis and Dieffenbachia.

October

Halloween

 

Halloween is a festival and a fun time for children and families. It is celebrated on 31st October each year across the world. It is celebrated by exchanging candies and sweets. Lanterns are lightened, and fireworks are practised all around. Chocolate is toxic for dogs, and it can cause abnormally high heartbeat in dogs. You need to be very careful in handling candles near your dog. A little negligence can lead to serious consequences.

Our article on 10 tips for a safe Halloween is worth reading

November

Fireworks

5th November is marked as a historic day, especially in Great Britain. Dogs and sudden sharp noises don’t go well together. During this period, act and behave normally, prepare your pet for this day by certain techniques and limit outdoor activities.

December
Christmas

Christians across the world celebrate this special day in honour of the birth of their Lord Jesus. While this event brings you joy and happiness and many lively moments with friends and family, it may come out as a danger for your dogs and cats. All types of alcohol are part of Christmas dinners. Dogs can have side effects similar to human beings if alcohol is consumed in excess. Dogs can become wobbly and drowsy, and in severe cases, there is a high probability of low body temperature and low blood sugar. Xylitol consumed in candies is also poisonous to dogs. It can stimulate insulin release in the body, resulting in low blood sugar and sometimes liver damage. Also, Christmas plants like poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are common Christmas plants that, if swollen, can irritate the mouth and stomach with overproduction of saliva and sometimes vomiting.

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