4 Hidden Dangers That All Pet Owners Should Be Aware Of

 As a pet owner, it’s up to you to keep your pet safe and protect them from any potential dangers. A lot of these dangers are obvious, like poisonous foods and plants, or hot cars. However, there are some pet dangers that are less obvious and owners don’t realize that they need to protect against them. These are some common pet dangers that you probably haven’t considered. 

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Nicotine 

We all know about the dangers of secondhand smoke, which is why so many countries have banned smoking indoors in public places. But we don’t often talk about how dangerous it can be for animals too. The health effects on animals are just the same as they are on humans, so it’s important that you consider this if you are a smoker. Even using e-cigarettes around your pet can be harmful, so be careful about smoking them inside when your pet is around. If you are not a smoker, this is still something that you should be aware of when you are out and about. If somebody is smoking near your pet, don’t be afraid to ask them to be more mindful. It may be a bit of an awkward conversation to have, but you can’t take any chances where your pet’s safety is concerned. 

Coyotes 

If you live in a particularly rural place, there is a chance that you may have problems with coyotes in the surrounding area. Although this isn’t likely to be a problem in urban areas, any pet owners living in the countryside need to be aware of it because they can be very dangerous to dogs and cats. If you think that you have a problem with coyotes, it’s important that you find ways to ward them off. Check out howtogetridofcoyote.com for some ideas on protecting your pets from these dangerous pests. It’s important that you check the barriers around your garden and fix any holes in the fence, so coyotes cannot get inside. 

Bones

Bones are one of the most surprising entries on this list because we all associate bones with dogs. But even though cartoons would have you believe that they are a dog’s best friend, bones can actually be very dangerous. Bones are actually very good for dogs in most cases, but you have to be careful. Cooked bones, for example, can splinter into shards and get lodged in their throat, so only give them raw meat bones. Don’t let them keep the same bone for too long either because they can chew chunks off and these can get lodged in the throat as well. If you are unsure, visit akc.org for more information on the dos and don’ts of giving bones to your dog. 

Hot Sidewalks 

During the summer, you should be careful about where you take your dogs for a walk because hot sidewalks can be very dangerous. On a hot day, an asphalt sidewalk can reach 140 degrees or more and it will burn your pet’s feet. Before walking them on any surface, press your hand against it for 5 seconds. If it’s too hot to do that, it’s definitely too hot for your pet. If you do need to take them on the sidewalk, invest in some rubber shoes to protect their feet. 

As a pet owner, it’s important that you are aware of these hidden dangers and you take steps to protect against them.