If you keep a well-stocked pet first aid kit, know how to administer pet CPR, and include your dog or cat in your disaster preparedness plan, bravo! You’re ready to deal with many emergencies your pet might encounter. 

The only thing better is preventing emergencies from occurring in the first place. Our veterinary team at All Breed Pet Care is ready to help you do that with wellness visits, vaccinations, parasite control, nutritional counseling, and more. Annual exams during wellness visits, in particular, help us catch potential issues early before they have a chance to grow into big problems.

As a pet owner, you can do many things to keep crises from arising. We’ve listed 10 common pet emergencies you can prevent with quick wits and purposeful actions. 

Poisoning

Many foods are toxic to pets, including chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic. Ensure you keep them out of reach. Also, pay attention to such substances as household cleaners, human and animal medicines, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, and store them securely so your pet can’t get to them. Don’t forget about your houseplants, either. Many are poisonous to pets. Consult the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list before bringing greenery into your home.

Gastrointestinal upsets

Ensure you feed your dog or cat a balanced pet food that’s appropriate for their species, life stage, and any existing health conditions, and don’t make sudden changes in their diet unless a veterinarian recommends the changes for a specific purpose. Resist the temptation to share your food with your pet because it could cause potentially serious gastrointestinal issues for them, and secure garbage and trash cans to discourage scavenging.

Urinary tract issues and dehydration

Provide your pet with access to fresh water at all times to keep them well-hydrated and prevent urinary issues. Ensure your dog gets all the bathroom breaks they need, especially in their senior years. Monitor your cat’s litter box, so you can spot changes in urination that may indicate a problem.

Foreign objects

Watch your pet when they’re chewing on treats or playing with toys. Don’t let them grab small bones, balls, or items like strings, rubber bands, yarn, and sewing or craft supplies that could pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages.

Falls

Prevent falls by closing windows and blocking access to balconies, and keep a watchful eye on your pet when they’re on high surfaces or around staircases.

Trauma from road accidents

When your pet is accompanying you near roads with motor vehicle traffic, keep them in a secure harness and leash or a stroller to prevent them from getting loose and being hit by a car. If your pet loves to hit the open road with you or just take a spin around the town, ensure they’re always in their carrier or restrained with a harness when they’re riding in your car. 

Heatstroke

Summer heat and humidity are hard on pets and can lead to heatstroke. Don’t expose your dog or cat to extreme heat, and never leave them in a parked car when it’s hot outside, even with the windows cracked. When you’re outdoors, give your pet plenty of access to shade and fresh water, and limit their exercise in hot weather by walking them early in the morning or after sunset.

Drowning

Always supervise your pet near swimming pools, ponds, or other bodies of water. Use secure pool covers or barriers at home to prevent access, and watch your pet closely when you’re at a dog beach. Poolside or oceanside, it’s wise to outfit your pet with a life jacket.

Fights with other animals

To minimize conflicts with other animals, keep your pet leashed or in fenced areas when you’re outdoors. Stay up-to-date on their vaccinations to minimize the chances that an infectious disease might be transmitted to your pet if a fight breaks out when they come in contact with other dogs.

Losing your pet

You can greatly reduce the chances of experiencing this heart-wrenching event by having your pet microchipped. This is a service our veterinary team is happy to provide. If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, you might want to invest in a GPS system as well. A wearable tracker or collar can provide location and activity tracking to help keep your dog or cat safe.

Contact our All Breed Pet Care team whenever your pet needs vaccinations or other preventive care, or if you have questions about any aspect of their health.