We all want to give your dogs the best care possible; after all, they are our best friends. But sometimes things we are doing (or not doing) can be causing harm to them without us thinking about it. Below are 12 ways you may be accidentally harming your pet.
#1 – Not Brushing His Teeth
I know, it’s not something you probably think about. But imagine if you never brushed your teeth?! Dental disease can even cause an infection to spread to the brain, killing your dog. Definitely harmful.
#2 – Over Vaccinating
This is a hot topic, but there is truth in this for some dogs. Talk to your vet about whether your dog would benefit more from Titers than continual vaccines.
#3 – Cleaning Products
Something we don’t often think about is the residues left by cleaning products. We want to clean our dog’s kennels, bowls, etc., but we should be aware that many chemical cleaners are harmful when ingested and can cause skin irritations. Since dogs like to put things in their mouth, all-natural cleaners made with pet-safe ingredients, are a better route.
#4 – Feeding The Wrong Food
How did you pick out your dog’s food? A friend’s recommendation? A commercial? Based on price? If you haven’t spoken to your vet about your dog’s nutrition needs, you could be harming him by feeding the wrong food. This is especially important for dogs with disease like kidney or diabetes, which need special diets.
#5 – Tennis Balls
Is your dog a ball fiend? You know the kind that carries a tennis ball almost 24/7 and plays fetch with you for hours? Maybe he just sits there and squeaks the squeaky ones. Tennis balls are actually “so abrasive that they can reduce a dog’s teeth down to the roots in a matter of years,” says Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM. How’s that for shocking? Trade in that tennis ball for a rubber or felted wool ball. (peterdobias.com)
#6 – Playing Fetch
Like food, this can be a case of “too much of a good thing.” According to Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM “Running and sprinting for extended periods is simply not natural to dogs and the most common problems related to ball retrieving are lumbar spine and muscle injuries and strain, sacral-lumbar misalignments, cruciate ligament injuries and believe or not chronic diarrhea can be caused by ball retrieving “ (www.peterdobias.com)
#7 – Using Collars
If your dog is a constant puller, or you tend to pull on the leash yourself, you can be damaging your dog’s spine as well as his neck muscles and ligaments. A harness or head collar is a much safer way to go. Be sure the harness fits your dog properly, however, as an ill-fitting harness can cause problems too.
#8 – Using Chemical Flea and Tick Products
There have been a lot of discussions about these products over the years. The bottom line is: you are putting a chemical on your dog. While it’s true some dogs seem to be unaffected, while others, more sensitive, immediately show issues – there is no way to know for sure if down the road your dog won’t develop something, including seizures. Instead, use a natural repellent.
#9 – Feeding Extra Snacks
It’s done out of love, you want your dog to enjoy the food you do, but giving your dog lots of human “junk food” can be very harmful and cost you at the vet. Even if they are technically “dog safe,” too much food leads to an overweight dog, which is also harmful.
#10 – Using De-Icing Salts
You may not think much of it, it’s salt, right? Well, it’s not really. It’s a chemical, and unless you are buying the pet safe brand, it’s toxic to your dog who gets it on her paws and then licks it off.
#11 – Being Loose In The Car
Like people, your dog should be strapped in when they are on the go. Having a loose dog can cause an accident if they get in the way of the driver. They can also be killed in a crash – going through the window shield, for example. Pick out a top-rated crash-tested crate, carrier, or seat from the Center of Pet Safety.
#12 – Skipping Exercise
You don’t mean to skip your dog’s walk 4 out of 7 days a week, but life gets busy. However, like humans, dog needs exercise to stay healthy. No exercise will lead to an out-of-shape body that will be more prone to injury and an overweight dog. Even worse? Carrying a healthy dog everywhere so he doesn’t have to walk.
