Summertime Safety
Camping with Your Pet? Check Out These Safety Tips from Our Castle Rock Veterinarians!
Are you one of those people who love traveling and camping with your dog? We think it’s one of the best things about summer! And while heading into the great outdoors with your pup can be a lot of fun, our Castle Rock veterinarians want you to check out these important safety tips.
Sometimes you can prevent accidents and emergencies when camping just by being aware of your surroundings. Watch out for brambly undergrowth, fast-flowing rivers, or plants that could be poisonous.
If you are new to Colorado–or new to hiking—here’s a great blog from our Castle Rock veterinarians to get you started: Hiking with Your Dog: How to Keep Your Dog Safe on Colorado Trails.
Thinking of hiking a mountain trail? Did you know canine depth perception is about half as acute as it is in humans? That’s why dogs have been known to fall off trail edges or cliffs when chasing small animals or running ahead on hikes. You may want to keep your dog leashed or at least closely supervised to stay safe!
Our Castle Rock veterinarians have even more great tips for you this summer:
- ID inside and out. Your dog should have a collar and identification tags, but a microchip is a great safety net to have if those get lost. Learn more about microchipping on this blog from our Castle Rock veterinarians: Microchipping Pets: What Every Pet Parent Should Know
- Tick prevention is a must. Colorado doesn’t have nearly as many insects that affect dogs as in other parts of the country. (For example, fleas aren’t as much of an issue in Castle Rock as they are in more humid climates.) But if your dog is forging trails through the woods or grassy areas, your dog may encounter a tick. Check out: How to protect your dog from ticks in Colorado.
- Watch for wildlife. You may never run into wildlife, but it’s best to know what to do if you and your dog encounter a coyote, mountain lion, or something else. Colorado Parks & Wildlife has put together some useful tips online: If you encounter a coyote and If you encounter a mountain lion
- Stay on designated paths. While it’s tempting to blaze your own trail when hiking, designated paths are there to keep you and your pets away from hazardous situations. It’s best to walk your dog on a non-extendable lead and please don’t leave your pet tied up at a campsite unsupervised.
- No alcohol for animals! Think your dog might like a beer after a long hike? Booze can dangerously intoxicate your pet and result in a coma or in severe cases, respiratory failure. Fermented hops and ethanol are poisonous to both dogs and cats.
Wherever your adventure takes you, take plenty of breaks in the shade and be sure to have lots of fresh water just for your pet.
It’s a good idea to get in for a check-up with one of our Castle Rock veterinarians before traveling or camping to make sure your pet is current on vaccinations, has parasite protection, and is healthy enough to travel. To schedule an appointment, call us at (303) 688-3757.
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