Some scenes of pets at play are so heartwarmingly familiar that they’ve become iconic: a dog trotting along proudly while showing off the stick he’s just fetched, or an obsessed kitten tussling with a ball of yarn. Witnessing your pet in such moments of bliss is one of the greatest joys that a pet parent can experience.
It’s easy to get caught up in the joy of your pet’s playtime, but some forms of play, as iconic as they may be, have the potential to cause your pet injury. Even in carefree moments like these, pet parents should always be keeping safety in mind. Here are some common risks and ways to help prevent playtime accidents.
Dogs and Bones
For centuries, bones have been so closely identified with canine contentment that it’s hard to believe there could be anything wrong with letting your dog happily gnaw on one to pass the time. But despite the wholesomeness of the image, it’s definitely not a good idea. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has identified numerous reasons why:
- Brittle bones can cause a dog to break its teeth, which is highly painful.
- Many bones have sharp edges that can pierce a dog’s tongue, soft palate, or esophagus; even if the bone didn’t have sharp edges to begin with, dogs can create them as they chew off shards.
- These same shards can be serious choking hazards, or can get lodged around the lower jaw, requiring sedation or anesthesia for removal.
- If swallowed, bone fragments can penetrate the lining of a dog’s stomach or small intestine, leading to serious (and sometimes fatal) infections; they can also become stuck in one or the other, requiring surgery to remove.
- Animal bones may be contaminated with bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria that can not only sicken dogs but be passed along to humans.
The solution: Fortunately, pet store shelves are well stocked with dozens (if not hundreds) of safe alternatives for dogs who love to chew. If you’re having trouble deciding which one to pick, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
Dogs and Sticks
Dogs love to pick up sticks with their mouths, either during games of fetch or while on walks. Some believe that doing so fulfills canine instincts for retrieving that were bred into dogs during domestication; others think it reflects even older instincts for hunting and gathering. Whatever its origin, it’s a behavior that dogs of nearly all sizes and breeds exhibit.
Like bones, however, pieces of wood can pose a health hazard to dogs – especially when chewed. The same risks that apply to bones also apply to sticks: Sharp edges or splinters can cause cuts to the tongue and mouth or harm a dog’s stomach or intestines if swallowed. In addition, a dog pawing at a stick in its mouth can easily paw one end of it into its eye, leading to serious injury.
The solution: Better alternatives for playing fetch are rope toys, tennis balls or other objects with less potential to cause harm. If your dog happens to find a particularly irresistible stick while on a walk, consider letting her briefly have her moment of joy – then switching out the stick for something safer to show off (or better yet a treat).
Cats and Yarn
If while knitting you’ve ever witnessed your cat sneak up on your slowly-moving ball of yarn and ferociously pounce on it, you may actually be seeing your kitty respond to a primal hunting instinct that’s deeply encoded in its DNA. And while there are few scenes cuter than watching this natural predator attack its “prey,” there are things you should know before you let this hunting expedition go too far.
Some cats may get so lost in the moment that they begin to chew on the yarn, which can become lodged in the back of the cat’s throat or partially inhaled: a serious choking hazard. If swallowed, the yarn will ultimately make its way to the gastrointestinal tract, where it can become an obstruction or even potentially cut through the walls of the intestine and cause an infection. In some cases, cats vigorously playing with yarn or string while unattended can get it so twisted and tangled up that they cut off the flow of blood to their tails, legs or neck, causing swelling or nerve damage.
The solution: It’s best not to allow your cat to play with yarn (or string), and under no circumstances should you ever leave your cat alone with it. If your furry little predator does feel the instinctive urge to pounce and attack your knitting material, enjoy the moment – and then retrieve your yarn and redirect their playful energy to a safer substitute to bat around: a fabric mouse, a small ball or another favorite toy.
Keeping Your Pet Protected
Playing with our dogs and cats, or even just being present while they play on their own, is a unique source of happiness – for us as well as them. Play strengthens emotional bonds while keeping our pets’ minds agile and their bodies active.
Healthy Paws is dedicated to making sure that your pet is always living its best life: If your dog or cat is suffering from an illness or physical condition that’s covered under your Healthy Paws pet insurance plan, you’ll be reimbursed for up to 90 percent (or the percentage reimbursement selected in your plan) of any veterinary bills pertaining to that illness or physical condition, with no maximum annual or lifetime payouts. With us as a partner, you and your pet will be back in action in no time.
The material presented herein is advisory in nature and is not intended as a substitute for legal, insurance, or other professional advice, but rather is presented for general information only. You should consult knowledgeable experts as to any technical questions you may have.