We know it hurts even to think about your dog getting injured. But it might happen and you have to be prepared.
There are many things that can go wrong when walking a dog, from cats to stings to sprains. And we hope you never come across these situations but by reading this blog post, you will be ready to face them.
First Aid Kit
When walking a dog, taking only your dog and your phone is an option. But if you walk a lot and far away from your home, you may want to start carrying a first aid kit. Essential first kit items are tweezers for removing foreign objects, alcohol wipes for cleaning wounds, gauze and vet tape for wrapping wounds and antibacterial pain-relieving creams.
Insect Stings and Bites
If your dog gets stung, check for a stinger and remove it with the tweezers. You can also apply the pain-relieving cream to the area. But some medicines can make your dog sleepy so you have to return to the house faster.
Sprains and Strains
If you have a dog that gets excited during a walk, you may come across this situation. If you see your dog limping or swelling around their legs, check their paws to make sure they are not limping because they stepped on something. If that’s not the case and your dog sprained their leg, head home and let your dog rest.
If You Suffer An Injury
If you suffer an injury while walking your dog, don’t hesitate to contact a doctor. If you are the one who hurt, apply ice for the injury for 10-15 minutes, if the pain or swelling continues for the following hours, it hurts when you touch or press the area to seek medical attention.
How to prevent common dog walking injuries? (For you and your dog)
Keep your dog on a short leash.
The longer the least, the more risk for your dog taking off. Of course, give your dog a little space fort hem to stop and sniff things and do their business, but keep a short leash when you’re walking. This way you will have more control over their movements.
Pay attention.
This is the most important part. Many injuries are the result of the walker not paying attention. If you are not distracted, you can prevent or react faster when something happens and won’t catch off guard. Our suggestions for paying attention when walking:
Don’t text, use social media or call someone. Don’t wear headphones. Always scan the surrounding area for things that might frighten or attack your dog. Watch where you’re walking to try to avoid obstacles.