Despite the fun and merrymaking surrounding the picnics, some practices could be harmful for your dog. In order to guarantee the safety of your pet, it is important to keep some tips in mind as you schedule your next outdoor event. To make things easier for you, we have assembled a list of the possible sources of harm for pets to keep in mind as you plan your next event.
Heat Illness
Dogs have a constant body temperature hence may not be comfortable in extreme heat just as we do. The ideal weather for picnics and outdoor activities is a warm sunny day. Remember that your pet may not be able to dissipate heat as well as you especially due to the limited sweat gads and their fur. We recommend that you avoid exercise in the midafternoon especially when it is hot and always have plenty of water available. In addition, all play and exercise should stop if your pet seems weak or disoriented.
Dangerous Water Activities
Water sports and activities are often a major part of outdoor family activities due to their fun, and relaxing nature. Nevertheless, tragedy can occur without proper caution. Although dogs are good swimmers, they can drown in lakes and pools just like people, especially the older ones when they are tired of swimming. We recommend that you be on the lookout for stagnant pools of water. Additionally, some water bodies contain algae like the blue-green algae which could cause some diseases.
Fireworks
Evening events are a great time especially when fireworks are involved. Loud noises and bright lights can easily frighten your pet. If the display is set off near your pet, they may be hurt by impact injury and get burns.
Table Scraps
It may be tempting to give your pet all those leftovers from your own food. However, this may lead to your dog feeding on dangerous foods which may cause gastrointestinal upset, which can result in vomiting and diarrhea. For instance, grapes and raisins are considered to be poisonous to dogs. Moreover, Xylitol is dangerous to dogs. Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute that is poisonous to dogs. We advise that if you have any baked goods, candies, mints, gums, etc. that contain xylitol, keep them out of reach of your dog.
Conclusion
Picnics are meant to be fun not only for your family but also for your pet. We recommend that you consider the above tips to avoid facing fatalities in your next picnic.
References: AERCMN, PetPlace, PetHealthNetwork
