Dogs have many things in common. Wagging tails, unending loyalty and of course, the desire to eat EVERYTHING. This can get them into trouble, especially if they get hold of toxic foods
Sadly in this world, some people don’t understand the appeal of a canine companion and worse still, there are those out there who would do our best friends harm. Fortunately, these troubled souls are a tiny minority, but with the recent rise in dog poisonings across the UK, I thought it would be a good idea to come up with some precautions in case the worse ever happened to you and your dog.
- Prevention is easier than cure – In the home, keep house plants and chemicals out of your dogs reach. Pick up fallen leaves and petals and makes sure you rinse chemically treated areas thoroughly. When you’re outside, keep your eye on your dog and don’t let them stray too far into the undergrowth. Additionally, try to keep up with social media alerts. We will always share news of suspected poisonings, and other groups will likely do the same.
- If your dog has been poisoned – Don’t panic. You need to stay calm and call your vet immediately to give them a warning and then get your dog to a vet as soon as possible. Don’t try and treat your dog yourself. You may end up making things worse.
- Avoid trying to make your dog vomit– dogs are not human, and they will not respond to the same treatment. Using salt water to encourage your dog to throw up is very dangerous, and similarly, medicines designed for human consumption could have a devastating impact. Different poisons require different treatments.
- Try and find a sample. – If you can see what made your dog ill, try and get a sample to show the vets. Knowing what poisoned your dog could make all the difference in finding the antidote.
- Clean your dog. – If your dog has been poisoned by something not ingested, then it’s a good idea to clean their fur and skin.
- Finally, teach your dog a good recall and a firm “leave it” Remember, poisonings are rare, and despite a slight spike recently, you’ll probably never need to worry about it, but forewarned is forearmed.
Article by Finchley Dog Walker and Edited by Sue of Tip Top Dog School