Backyard Dangers All Dog Owners Should Be Aware Of

Outdoor pets are becoming much more common in today's society. With the economy being what it is, many people do not have the time to give their animals the necessary attention.

Dogs love to be outside; they can play with other animals or explore on their own. This article will list some of the dangers of leaving your dog out during the day, especially in your backyard.

Poisonous Plants

It is essential to know what kinds of poisonous plants are in your yard so you can be sure to keep them away from the animals outside. Some dangerous plants include buttercups, lilies, daffodils, sago palms, holly berries, oleander flowers and leaves, laburnum, English yew, and lantana.

You should also avoid planting these dangerous plants in your yard. If you must have some of the plants mentioned above, you should make them completely inaccessible to the dog. Installing a dog fence is one way to do so.

Keeping your dog away from poisonous plants is an excellent way to ensure their safety. Dogs will chew on anything, so it is best to make sure that you know all the dangers of any plant in your yard before putting them there.

Chemical Toxins

Many chemical toxins can be found in our everyday surroundings. One of the most common is antifreeze which often leaks from cars during winter when refilling the radiator.

Unfortunately, dogs will ingest this chemical, leading to kidney failure. Such cases often result in dog owners frantically searching for online vets to help save their pet's life.

Pet owners should keep most outdoor pets away from cars and any area where fluids may have leaked out. Not only will they lick these potentially dangerous substances up, but they will also play in the puddles of liquid that could contain antifreeze or other chemical toxins.

Another toxin found in the yard is that of cigarette butts. Dogs will often ingest these, and there isn't much you can do about it other than to take care not to smoke around your pets while they are in the yard.

It may also be a good idea to limit their access to areas where people congregate, so they aren't tempted to pick up a butt from the ground.

Gardens and Edible Plants

Some animal lovers may have edible fruits or vegetables growing in the backyard as a hobby, which is fine as long as your dog cannot access these plants. Most people have pests in their gardens and spray pesticides which are very harmful to dogs.

It would be a shame to let some flowers wither away because your dog dug them up from the ground where someone planted them. If you have a problem with your dog digging up the garden, you should train them to avoid that area or install a fence around the yard's perimeter.

A good idea would be to include double walls, so they cannot jump over it even if they can see your neighbor's yard through the fence hole.

Trampolines

Trampolines are another potential danger that you should be aware of. A dog's teeth are incredibly strong, which means that if they get on top of your trampoline, then it is challenging to get them off without hurting yourself or the animal in question.

If your pet gets stuck, you'll have no choice but to call a vet who will sedate them and carefully remove them from the trampoline, after which they will most likely be fine. Trampolines are a common danger, but it's easy to avoid this problem by staying on top of your pet while they play around in your yard.

Predators & Pets

In today's society, the number of people keeping exotic pets, such as poisonous snakes, is on the rise, meaning that you should keep your dog in at night when the sun has gone down, or they may come face to face with a snake that can kill them.

Many people buy frogs and other creatures to feed their pet snakes which means that even your normal house pet could suddenly find themselves in a fight for their life.

Suppose you have small pets such as kittens, rabbits, or birds living outside. In that case, your dog may be at risk of catching them for dinner if they allow this to happen, which is why it is best to keep them inside overnight and make sure that all the pet doors are locked so no unwelcome visitors can enter your home.

Predator animals such as foxes and coyotes could also be lurking in your yard, which is why training your dog to stay close by at all times is a good idea. Don't let them chase other animals either, because this can lead to fights that will often result in you having to take your injured pet to the vet.

Ticks and Fleas

Many people don't think to keep their yard free from ticks and fleas, but this is essential for the backyard. Your dog could spend hours running around in your garden or lawn, which means that they may get infested with these nasty parasites.

The danger comes when they go home and play around with you or your children, which is when they can spread tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, which, if contracted by a human, will require that the patient be put on a course of intravenous antibiotics for half a year to ensure it doesn't return in the future.

Another danger associated with ticks and fleas is that ticks are carriers for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If your pet picks one of these up, then you may have to watch them suffer from nasty symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, which could even lead to death if left untreated.

Dog owners should ensure that their home and yard are safe by keeping it free of any potentially dangerous chemicals, ensuring the pet has a regular check-up with the vet and keeping an eye open for wild animals such as snakes in your backyard. Doing this will ensure that you avoid taking your dog in for expensive veterinary care when something bad happens.