Mid-Cheshire Animal Welfare

HEALTH AND SAFETY HINTS AND TIPS

Here are a few hints and tips to help to keep your dog safe

If you have any good ideas you would like to share with other dog owners please e-mail us at mcawdogs@btinternet.com

TOXIC SUBSTANCES

There are a lot of plants and other common household substances which are toxic to dogs.  Chocolate is probably the one which most dog owners are aware of.  However, did you know that grapes, rasins, sugarfree chewing gum containing xylitol and lillies can also harm your best friend ?   There are a number of websites which can give you more information, The Dogs Trust website has a very comprehensive list.  It is certainly worth a look as it may, one day, save your dogs life.

Please also be aware that using Cocoa Mulch in your garden can be deadly for pets.  Although it does not generally have warnings on the label, the product is highly toxic to dogs and cats as it contains a lethal ingredient called Theobromine ( this smells like chocolate and smells lovely to dogs).

IDENTIFICATION

It is important to ensure that your dog has an identity disc on its collar showing a contact telephone number.  Remember to get a new disc cut if you change your phone number.  Likewise if your dog is microchipped don't forget to amend your details with the chipping company if you move house and/or change your phone number.  

Make a point of checking regularly to ensure the disc is still on the collar.  This is particularly important if you have the barrel type of identification as they can quickly become loose and the information contained inside is lost.

PETS IN CARS

NEVER leave your dog alone in a parked car.  On a hot day the inside of your car will very quickly become extremely hot and your pet could develop heatstroke in a very short space of time - this is minutes not hours.  Likewise in winter a car can hold in the cold causing hypothermia.

Although dogs love to ride with their head out of the window, this is not a good idea.  Your dog could be injured by a flying object, subject him to possible inner ear damage and/or lung infections.

All dogs travelling in vehicles should be restrained both for their own safety and yours.  Seat belts and travel cages are readily available and can stop your pet becoming a projected missile in the event of you having to brake quickly.

Does your dog travel in the front passenger seat ?  Does your car have front airbags?  Take a moment to consider the damage an inflated airbag would do to your pet.

Another travel tip, given to us by Petsearch Volunteer and fellow dog lover , Jan Steele, is to carry a card with you when travelling giving details of each of your pets with photos, contact numbers of friends or relatives , your vet together with any other relevant information on your pets medication etc. This information would be invaluable to the police should you be involved in an emergency situation.  Hopefully it will never be needed but you never know  -  better to be safe than sorry.

TAKING YOUR DOG ON HOLIDAY ?

What could be better than taking your dog on holiday with you  to enjoy long leisurely walks along country lanes or costal paths ?

Try not to feed your dog a heavy meal before you travel or you may end up with his dinner all over your car and a sickly dog for the rest of your journey.   Don't forget to take some water for him - dogs get thirsty too !   Make regular stops on a long journey, but always make sure that your dog has his lead on before you let him our of the car at the Motorway Service Station or lay by.

Remember to put an extra identity tag on your dogs collar when you are on holiday giving details of your holiday address, mobile number etc.  The barrel type of tag is excellent for this purpose as you can write all the information on the paper inside.  Just be aware, as we have already stated, that this type of tag does come apart quite easily so remember to check it each day.