Doggie Dangers ON THE BEACH

With summer comes outdoor activities and tons of beach time.

Many dogs love the beach, but playtime at the beach comes with some very real dangers for our furried friends. While there is a leash law on Kauai, not all dogs are kept on leashes, so even if you are careful with your pet, he could still be the victim of aggression from other dogs.

What triggers fights or attacks isn’t always apparent to us humans. Some attacks can be very vicious, even fatal. Keeping your dog on its leash will help to reduce the risks. Don’t be afraid to ask others to do the same.

Aside from threats of aggressive animals, beaches hold additional dangers. For unvaccinated puppies, there is the risk of being exposed to diseases like parvo. If your dog is like a lot of dogs — eager to eat anything that fits in their mouths — there is the risk of eating something that makes her sick or is even outright poisonous. Don’t let your dog eat on the beach unless you packed the food.

Another major threat on the beach is dead fish and fishbait with fishhooks.

Fishhooks are incredibly dangerous when swallowed. Often, the hook has a long piece of fishing line (the leader) still attached, and this leader may not have been swallowed.

Owners often discover that their dog has swallowed a hook by seeing the leader hanging out of the dog’s mouth. If you see a piece of fishing leader hanging out of your dog’s mouth, DO NOT PULL ON IT.

Pulling on the leader could very easily “set” the hook, making it much harder to remove. If it’s long enough, tie the leader to your dogs collar and take your dog to your vet immediately; Likely, x-rays will be taken and the fishhook removed carefully and safely.

More pets get lost on July 4th than any other day of the year.

Keep your dog safe this Independence Day with these eight tips.

1

Be sure your dog is wearing an up-to-date and visible ID tag on her collar at all times.

Take a current photo of your dog, just in case.

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2

Exercise your dog early in the day before parties begin.

4 During cookouts, ask guests to play with your dog away from flames.

5 Keep charcoals, fireworks, sparklers and glow sticks far from curious canines.

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6 Keep dog treats on hand for those who want to give your dog food.

8

Leave your dog at home with a frozen stuffed treat during the fireworks.

If your dog is afraid of loud noises, leave gentle music playing to cover the fireworks.