Household
Choking Hazards and Your Dog
 Your
dog is exposed to chocking
hazards everywhere! It is not unusual for a dog to find small
objects on the ground or on the floor. When they do, they will
almost always pick it up and start chewing on it! Especially
puppies. As a responsible dog owner it is your job to make sure
that you make your dog’s environment completely safe for them at
all times.
It
is your job to make sure that any item that is small enough for
your dog to get into it’s mouth is out of it’s reach. These
items could include things like pencils, pens, crayons, small
toys, plastic bags, coins and any other items in that size
range.
Choking
hazards are not the only danger your dog can encounter in the
home. Household chemicals and cleaning items left within easy
access, can be dangerous too! You need to make sure that you
keep them locked away. Trash containers that may have used rags or
wipes with household chemicals and cleaning solutions on them
should also be kept out of easy reach of them as well.
While
commonly found in our homes, all of these items could become a
great danger to your dog. Small
items can get caught in a dog’s throat causing choking,
strangulation, intestinal problems and even death, while chemical poisoning
is almost always fatal.
If
you suspect that you dog has swallowed something, it may show one
or more of the following signs of choking or distress.
- Gagging
- Pawing
at the mouth
- Distress
- Rapid
or shallow breathing
- Pale
or blue tongue
- Unconsciousness
- Increased
respiratory rate and effort
If
your dog is choking, and you can see the object in it’s throat,
you may attempt to remove it. Never put your fingers inside the
mouth of a choking dog. Your dog may be the sweetest dog in the
world, but it will bite you when he is in distress! Instead,
we suggest you use a metal spoon or a pair of kitchen tongs.
If
you can’t see the item, or if your dog is having trouble
breathing, call your veterinarian or your local Pet Hospital at
once. At this point, every minute counts and your dog may be only
minutes from dieing.
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