Keeping your dog safe at home

Keeping your dog safe outdoors requires special precautions during extreme weather conditions. Be sure to follow these tips on how to keep your dog safe in hot weather, cold weather, and even snow:

•    Provide Plenty of Water: Always have fresh water available for your dog to prevent dehydration.
•    Use Dog Sunscreen: Apply dog sunscreen to protect areas with little fur, like the nose, ears, and belly, especially for dogs with light or short coats.
•    Create Shade: Ensure your dog has access to well ventilated, shaded areas to rest and cool down.
•    Avoid Peak Sun Hours: Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, usually between 10 AM and 4 PM.
•    Cool Down with Water: Provide a kiddie pool or hose down your dog to help them stay cool.
•    Protect Paws: Hot pavements and sand can burn your dog’s paws. Walk your dog during cooler parts of the day and check the ground temperature with your hand before allowing them to walk on it.
 

•    Keep Them Warm: Dog sweaters or coats, especially for short-haired breeds, are a good way to keep your dog warm in cold weather. Also, after being outside, dry your dog’s coat and paws to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
•    Limit Exposure: Avoid leaving your dog outside for extended periods. Bring them indoors frequently to warm up.
•    Protect Paws: Dogs should wear booties to protect their paws from ice, snow, and salt. They should also check their paws regularly for signs of injury or irritation. 
•    Provide Shelter: If your dog spends time outside, ensure they have a well-insulated and dry shelter to protect them from the cold.
•    Avoid Antifreeze: Keep your dog away from areas where antifreeze may have been used, as it is highly toxic.
•    Adjust Food Intake: Dogs may require more calories in the cold to maintain their body heat, so adjust their diet accordingly.
Regularly check your dog for signs of heat stress or cold discomfort, and adjust their environment and activities as needed.
 

Dog obedience training is a lifelong investment that ensures your dog's safety and well-being. Teaching your dog certain commands can prevent dangerous situations and help them behave appropriately in various environments. For example, here are some basic dog commands every pup should know:
•    ‘Sit’: Helps your dog to stay calm and controlled in different situations.
•    ‘Stay’: A command telling your dog to remain in one place, helping with their safety and that of others in busy or potentially dangerous areas.
•    ‘Come’: A reliable recall command that brings your dog back to you, preventing them from running into hazardous situations.
•    ‘Leave It’: Prevents your dog from picking up harmful objects or substances.
•    ‘Drop It’: Teaches your dog to release anything they have picked up, especially when they grab something dangerous.
•    ‘Heel’: Keeps your dog walking close to you, especially important near traffic or crowded areas.
•    ‘Down’: Helps to calm your dog and can be used to keep them in a safe, controlled position.

For a comprehensive guide on training these commands and more, visit our detailed Dog Commands and Training page. 

By mastering these commands, your dog can navigate both indoor and outdoor environments safely, making your time together more enjoyable and stress-free. 
 

Pet owners need to understand what dogs can and cannot eat to keep their furry friends safe. Many human foods that are quite safe for us are poisonous to dogs and can cause severe health issues, including:
•    Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death.
•    Grapes and Raisins: Can cause kidney failure in dogs.
•    Onions and Garlic: Contain compounds that can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anaemia.
•    Avocado: Contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
•    Alcohol: Even small amounts can lead to intoxication, coma, or death.
•    Caffeine: Can cause rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors.
•    Xylitol: A sweetener found in many sugar-free products that can cause low blood sugar and liver failure. Signs include vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, tremors, seizures and coma. 
•    Macadamia Nuts: Can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, and tremors.
•    Raw Dough: Can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol, leading to severe health issues.
•    Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and cause internal injuries or blockages.

For a more detailed guide on feeding your dog safely, review our Feeding Dogs guide. 
 

In addition to certain human foods, there are other dog poison dangers out there that pet owners should look out for, such as toxic creatures, plants, chemicals, and everyday objects that can pose significant risks to your dog’s health.

Some common examples for dog owners in Australia include:
•    Cane Toads: These toads secrete a toxin that can cause severe reactions in dogs, including drooling, vomiting, seizures, and even death. If you live in an area where cane toads are common, supervise your dog closely and seek immediate veterinary care if exposure is suspected.
•    Sago Palm: Highly toxic, causing liver failure.
•    Oleander: Can cause severe heart problems.
•    Azaleas and Rhododendrons: Can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and potential cardiovascular collapse.
•    Tulips and Daffodils: Bulbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and other severe symptoms.
•    Household Cleaners: Many cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful if ingested.
•    Antifreeze: Contains ethylene glycol, which is extremely toxic to dogs.
•    Pesticides and Rodenticides: Chemicals used to control pests can be fatal if ingested by dogs.
•    Stagnant Water: Can harbour harmful bacteria and parasites. Ensure your dog drinks fresh, clean water to avoid illnesses.
•    Scissors and Sharp Objects: Can cause cuts or internal injuries if chewed or swallowed.
•    Glue: Some glues expand in the stomach, leading to blockages.
•    Wires and Electrical Cords: Can cause electrical shocks or internal damage if ingested.

It is normal for pet owners to wonder, ‘What plants are toxic for dogs?’ or ‘Is it safe for me to let my dog roam in this area?’ If you are unsure of possible dog poison risk, it is always better to err on the side of caution.
 

Being prepared with a dog first aid kit will allow you to handle any emergencies to ensure your pet’s safety. Similar to a first aid kit for humans, here are some supplies you should have on hand:

•    Bandages and Gauze: For wrapping wounds and stopping bleeding.
•    Adhesive Tape: To secure bandages in place.
•    Antiseptic Wipes: For cleaning wounds and preventing infection.
•    Tweezers: For removing splinters, ticks, or foreign objects.
•    Scissors: For cutting bandages or fur around a wound.
•    Thermometer: To check your dog’s temperature.
•    Disposable Gloves: For handling wounds safely.
•    Emergency Blanket: To keep your dog warm in case of shock or hypothermia.
•    Muzzle: To prevent biting if your dog is in pain or scared.
•    Saline Solution: For flushing out wounds or eyes.
•    Pain Relief: Medications prescribed by your vet.
Check and update your dog's first aid kit regularly to ensure all items are in good condition and within their expiration dates. 

There is also a First Aid app for your pets that includes over 130 essential first aid articles for pet owners. This free app was created to ensure you are better prepared to recognise an emergency situation and can act quickly with effective first aid during the critical minutes before you get to a veterinary clinic. 

Search for First Aid for Pets Australia in your App Store or Google Play.