April marks the beginning of Pet First Aid Awareness Month. To keep your pooch out of harm’s way, dog safety expert Melanie Monteiro offers up these seven tips.
Melanie Monteiro is the author of “ The Safe Dog Handbook,” a book that offers life-saving tips to prevent emergencies. Being prepared for an emergency situation means you’re better equipped to help your furry best friend and potentially save his life. Melanie offers seven important tips that can save your canine should an emergency come knocking at your door.
This one should be on everyone’s list, no matter what. If you have moved addresses or changed your phone number, it is definitely time to change the information on your dog’s tags. If they somehow get lost, their tags are the best way to reunite them with you!
These kits include a variety of first aid tools such as hydrogen peroxide and sterile eyewash, but remember that these items expire, so check on your kit to make sure everything is up to date. If you don’t have one, you should definitely acquire one or, better yet, make your own!
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If you’re one of the many pet parents who buckle using a pet carrier or seat belt harness their pooch up before a ride, good for you! But it’s also important to know that many of these seat belts and carriers fail during crash tests- so make sure you have one that boasts a five-star vehicle crash test rating.
Should Fido develop an illness or get hurt, making sure you have enough saved up to pay for his medical bills is essential. However, if that doesn’t sound like something you could immediately afford, there are some pet healthcare programs like CareCredit, a line of credit that allows you to pay off veterinarian bills in months payments.
During the day, it is easy enough to find an animal hospital that will help you and your pooch, but it’s a different story when the sun goes down and most of them close for the day. Knowing where the closest animal hospital that’s open all night long is crucial to getting your pet the medical assistance he needs as soon as possible. Memorize where it is, the fastest route, how long it takes to get there and where to park once you’ve arrived.
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6. Take a pet first aid class
When your canine is critically ill or injured, the first few minutes are crucial. A pet first aid class will teach you how to asses emergency situations such as heartstrokes, choking and car accidents. Ask your local humane society if they have any classes available and search online for a class taught near you. There are also online courses and books that can help teach you the first aid basics.
7. Increase outdoor safety
Some pet parents get distracted while taking Fido out for a walk – your phone, for example, is a major distraction. When you’re taking your furry BFF out for a walk, remember to keep your phone down and always be vigilant of your surroundings. When you have your eyes peeled for potential dangers, you’ll be able to see that car that is turning way too close to the curb, and stop from crossing the street before it’s too late.
