Play it Safe
!
Walking around any pet shop you will be confronted with row upon row of different styles and sizes of dog toys from plush toys shaped like elephants and monkeys to rope toys, squeaky bones and rubber kongs and usually the one that is most appealing to the owner is the one purchased . But far more thought must be given to what owners allow their dogs to play with.
Dogs are often humanised and seen as babies in fur coats and although in some cases this can be detrimental to the dog in this instance we can make the comparison. A two year old child would not be given “Lego” for Christmas in fear of choking. So why give a six month old puppy a soft toy filled with wadding? Of course it’s nice to think that the puppy has something nice to cuddle up to when it’s alone but the puppy has other ideas and that being to de-stuff the toy which may also result in choking.
Dogs like children are not aware of potential hazards. If a child was found running around the garden whilst sucking on a boiled sweet the likelihood is that he would be asked to sit down and finish the sweet before returning to the game due to the risk of the sweet becoming lodged at the back of the throat or being swallowed and then to large to be passed naturally. Dog toys need to be larger than the recipient’s throat it may seem amusing to watch the Yorkshire terrier share his ball with the Labrador however in the same way the sweet is potentially dangerous to the child so to is the toy when designed for a much smaller dog. Balls may become soggy when covered with saliva and can easily slip and block the throat when caught by an exuberant dog if they are not of adequate size.
When choosing a ball always make sure that it is designed. for dogs never allow a dog to play with golf balls; these are nothing more than a coated mass of rubber similar to that of elastic bands, which even small breeds can access with their jaws. Foam, tennis and soft rubber balls can also pose potential hazards due to the destructibility of the material they are made from so these should not be left with dogs who are not being supervised.
Sticks of all sizes are a hazard to dogs. Countless dogs are injured through playing with sticks, some of the injuries are horrific and sadly too many dogs loose their lives. Splinters can enter the body via piercing any part of the mouth, face or throat, not to mention the bits that can be swallowed. Once inside they can stay put and cause abscesses or travel around the body – emerging in a completely different area. Sticks when caught awkwardly or stabbed into a dog, if they catch on the ground for instance, can damage many major blood vessels and organs.
You may think these type of incidents are just a terrible unfortunate accident that will never happen to your dog but I am sure the owner of “Meg” and “Zany” didn’t think it would happen to their pet either.
““Meg” the Border Collie was killed when she dived onto a stick that was being thrown for her. The stick went long ways into her throat, ripping her oesophagus and breaking her collarbone.
“Zany”, the German Shepherd cross, came to grief when a tiny stick went up through the roof of her mouth and travelled upwards, looking for an exit. The exit happened to be her left eye. Zany was in great pain and the vet thought she had a tumour behind the eye. It was only during the operation to remove Zany’s eye, that the vet discovered the stick.” (Rose Bate MRCVS, BVetMed, BSc(Hons), DAS:CABC)
A dog with a stick is also a danger to handlers and other dogs, with damage to eyes being common. If you imagine couching down to tie your shoelace as your dog hurriedly approaches to show you what he has “found” with him unable to judge the length of the stick quite easily it could make contact with your face. Equally as he runs over to show his canine pal his find the other dog may be struck with the stick causing injury.
Some dogs find stones enjoyable objects to play with and it may seem like harmless fun watch a dog chase into the sea after a stone that is “skimmed” across the water however fractured teeth are common after chewing on stones. When the hard enamel surface of a tooth is cracked, the delicate, inner structures of the tooth are exposed. This allows bacteria to attack the underlying nerves and blood supply to the tooth, and creates the potential for an abscess to form. Broken teeth are also painful, and the dog may have difficulty eating (especially hard food), which over time can result in poor nutrition and oral health. If stones are swallowed invasive surgery may be necessary due to the inability to pass them naturally and causing intestinal blockages or become lodged in the throat possibly causing choking. Dogs should never be allowed to play with stones and if it is thought that a dog regularly eats stones Veterinary advice should be sought as there are many reasons for this behaviour known as Pica
Never allow a dog to play with toys intended for children. Dog owning families need to be strict with tidying away human playthings to avoid any canine misadventure with such items. The button eyes and nose on “bedtime bear” may be quite easily removed and swallowed by the family dog as to may be the wheels from a toy tractor.
Toys should be regularly inspected for any signs of wear and tear and should be discarded and replaced as and when required.
A dog with a destructive nature towards their possessions will require robust toys and should never be left unsupervised with anything that could be chewed up . Keeping what can be termed as ‘flimsy’ toys for interactive play only.
It is wonderful to watch your pet at play and even better when you know you are playing it safe. A little thought can prevent a visit to the vet and time in the operating theatre or even worse death .
http://www.thecanineacademy.co.uk/id34.html
.http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=229&med=1
Walking around any pet shop you will be confronted with row upon row of different styles and sizes of dog toys from plush toys shaped like elephants and monkeys to rope toys, squeaky bones and rubber kongs and usually the one that is most appealing to the owner is the one purchased . But far more thought must be given to what owners allow their dogs to play with.
Dogs are often humanised and seen as babies in fur coats and although in some cases this can be detrimental to the dog in this instance we can make the comparison. A two year old child would not be given “Lego” for Christmas in fear of choking. So why give a six month old puppy a soft toy filled with wadding? Of course it’s nice to think that the puppy has something nice to cuddle up to when it’s alone but the puppy has other ideas and that being to de-stuff the toy which may also result in choking.
Dogs like children are not aware of potential hazards. If a child was found running around the garden whilst sucking on a boiled sweet the likelihood is that he would be asked to sit down and finish the sweet before returning to the game due to the risk of the sweet becoming lodged at the back of the throat or being swallowed and then to large to be passed naturally. Dog toys need to be larger than the recipient’s throat it may seem amusing to watch the Yorkshire terrier share his ball with the Labrador however in the same way the sweet is potentially dangerous to the child so to is the toy when designed for a much smaller dog. Balls may become soggy when covered with saliva and can easily slip and block the throat when caught by an exuberant dog if they are not of adequate size.
When choosing a ball always make sure that it is designed. for dogs never allow a dog to play with golf balls; these are nothing more than a coated mass of rubber similar to that of elastic bands, which even small breeds can access with their jaws. Foam, tennis and soft rubber balls can also pose potential hazards due to the destructibility of the material they are made from so these should not be left with dogs who are not being supervised.
Sticks of all sizes are a hazard to dogs. Countless dogs are injured through playing with sticks, some of the injuries are horrific and sadly too many dogs loose their lives. Splinters can enter the body via piercing any part of the mouth, face or throat, not to mention the bits that can be swallowed. Once inside they can stay put and cause abscesses or travel around the body – emerging in a completely different area. Sticks when caught awkwardly or stabbed into a dog, if they catch on the ground for instance, can damage many major blood vessels and organs.
You may think these type of incidents are just a terrible unfortunate accident that will never happen to your dog but I am sure the owner of “Meg” and “Zany” didn’t think it would happen to their pet either.
““Meg” the Border Collie was killed when she dived onto a stick that was being thrown for her. The stick went long ways into her throat, ripping her oesophagus and breaking her collarbone.
“Zany”, the German Shepherd cross, came to grief when a tiny stick went up through the roof of her mouth and travelled upwards, looking for an exit. The exit happened to be her left eye. Zany was in great pain and the vet thought she had a tumour behind the eye. It was only during the operation to remove Zany’s eye, that the vet discovered the stick.” (Rose Bate MRCVS, BVetMed, BSc(Hons), DAS:CABC)
A dog with a stick is also a danger to handlers and other dogs, with damage to eyes being common. If you imagine couching down to tie your shoelace as your dog hurriedly approaches to show you what he has “found” with him unable to judge the length of the stick quite easily it could make contact with your face. Equally as he runs over to show his canine pal his find the other dog may be struck with the stick causing injury.
Some dogs find stones enjoyable objects to play with and it may seem like harmless fun watch a dog chase into the sea after a stone that is “skimmed” across the water however fractured teeth are common after chewing on stones. When the hard enamel surface of a tooth is cracked, the delicate, inner structures of the tooth are exposed. This allows bacteria to attack the underlying nerves and blood supply to the tooth, and creates the potential for an abscess to form. Broken teeth are also painful, and the dog may have difficulty eating (especially hard food), which over time can result in poor nutrition and oral health. If stones are swallowed invasive surgery may be necessary due to the inability to pass them naturally and causing intestinal blockages or become lodged in the throat possibly causing choking. Dogs should never be allowed to play with stones and if it is thought that a dog regularly eats stones Veterinary advice should be sought as there are many reasons for this behaviour known as Pica
Never allow a dog to play with toys intended for children. Dog owning families need to be strict with tidying away human playthings to avoid any canine misadventure with such items. The button eyes and nose on “bedtime bear” may be quite easily removed and swallowed by the family dog as to may be the wheels from a toy tractor.
Toys should be regularly inspected for any signs of wear and tear and should be discarded and replaced as and when required.
A dog with a destructive nature towards their possessions will require robust toys and should never be left unsupervised with anything that could be chewed up . Keeping what can be termed as ‘flimsy’ toys for interactive play only.
It is wonderful to watch your pet at play and even better when you know you are playing it safe. A little thought can prevent a visit to the vet and time in the operating theatre or even worse death .
http://www.thecanineacademy.co.uk/id34.html
.http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=229&med=1
