Dogs and
Children
Dog bites are the number-one public health problem for children,
eclipsing measles, mumps and whooping cough combined. In fact,
school-age children receive more than 47 percent of all reported
dog bites. Two-thirds of these incidents happen around the
child's home, and the child knows the dog.
Here are a few guidelines children should follow to protect
themselves from dog bites.
1. Treat dogs and other animals with respect. That includes
never, ever provoking a dog into growling, barking, lunging, or
otherwise acting aggressively.
2. Don't chase dogs or encourage them to chase you.
3. Avoid strange dogs. Never go onto someone else's propety or
approach a strange animal to pet him. Since some dogs will bite
when they are afraid, they might bite to protect themselves or
their territory.
4. Ask before petting a neighbor's dog - even if you know the
dog well. The dog could have a sore ear that morning and your
gentle pat on that exact spot could cause the dog to bite you.
5. Don't run and scream around dogs. Quick movements and
high-pitched squeals can frighten a dog - and frightened dogs
can bite.
6. Respect a dog's privacy. Never bother a dog when he's eating
or in his crate, special room, or special spot in the house or
yard.
7. Don't stare at a dog. To dogs, staring is perceived as a
threat, and they can react aggressively towards you.
Pets and Vehicles
Never leave your pets in a parked car, even if the windows are
open. Ten minutes could be too long on a hot day. By then, the
temperature inside the car could reach 160 degrees. That's hot
enough to cause a dog to suffer heat stroke.
Pets don't perspire as people do, They cool themselves by
panting. With only very hot air to breathe, your pets could
suffer permanent brain damage within moments. If emergency care
in not given, your pets could die. They may want to come along,
but it's much kinder to leave your pets at home with plenty of
fresh, cool water and shade.
Flea Control
Check your pets regularly for fleas, which are more common in
hot weather. For flea control to be effective, your pet's entire
environment must be treated, including the yard. Never use flea
control products for dogs and cats as they may ingest the
powerful chemicals while grooming.
Pets and Vacations
Without the proper planning, your dream vacation could become a
nightmare for your pets. If they are staying behind, make
advanced boarding reservations with a veterinary clinic,
reputable kennel or pet sitter, or make arrangements with a
responsible friend.
Pet Identification
Your pets should always wear collars with proper identification
tags (rabies and/or license) and be kept under control in
accordance with local leash laws. This is even more important
when vacationing, as pets can easily become lost in a strange
environment.
|
|
Pets can be
expensive,
so think about
adopting
seriously before
you do it!
|
