Accidents, illnesses, and injuries happen to our pets, even when we are prepared. However, the chances of some pet emergencies could be reduced through awareness and proactive measures. Our Walnut Creek Vet Hospital team offers key strategies to help prevent common pet emergencies.

Schedule veterinary exams for your pet

Routine checkups with our Walnut Creek Vet Hospital veterinarian can help us detect health issues early and ensure your pet receives timely treatment. During these exams, we will also ensure your furry pal is up-to-date on their core vaccines and parasite preventives, and screen for possible health conditions. For healthy adult pets, an annual visit should be sufficient; puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets with health problems likely will need more frequent visits. 

Provide your pet with proper nutrition and hydration 

Providing your pet with quality nutrition and encouraging them to drink more water can enhance their overall health. Ensure your pet’s diet is appropriate for their age, size, and health status throughout their life, and avoid feeding them human food. Many people foods, such as chocolate, alcohol, onions, and grapes, can poison pets. In addition, drinking enough water is essential to prevent your pet from becoming dehydrated and minimize the risk of heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition for pets. Encourage your furry friend to drink more water, particularly when the temperatures are high. 

Keep your pet vaccinated and on parasite prevention

Many infectious diseases that could threaten your pet’s health are preventable through vaccinations. Core vaccines protect your pet from parvovirus, distemper, rabies, and other potentially fatal illnesses. To protect your pet and your family from diseases carried by parasites, use regular flea, tick, and heartworm preventives, as our veterinarian recommends. 

Pet-proof your home and yard

Many pet emergencies occur in the pet’s environment. In the same way that you would child-proof your home, pet-proof your house by removing potentially dangerous items and substances from your pet’s reach. Use the following guidelines:

  • Remove toxic plants and replace them with pet-friendly varieties
  • Store medications in a medicine cabinet or other inaccessible area
  • Place chemicals and household cleaners in the garage or within a sturdy storage cabinet
  • Attach child-proof latches to cabinets where food and garbage bins are stored
  • Cover electrical cords with cord protectors
  • Pick up small objects, such as buttons, coins, batteries, string, and other items, your pet could ingest
  • Secure outdoor gates and fences to ensure there aren’t gaps or areas where your pet could escape

Walk your pet on a leash

Exercise is essential for all pets, but outdoor activities, such as walking and hiking, can expose your furry friend to specific hazards. Car accidents, lost pets, wildlife encounters, and fights between pets are outdoor risks to consider. Leashing your pet is the best way to prevent emergencies. If your pet hasn’t been leash-trained, do practice runs with them in your yard. Feline friends should also be leashed or closely monitored to keep them safe.

Teach your pet basic commands

Many emergencies could be avoided if pets know basic obedience commands. These commands include:

  • Sit
  • Stay
  • Come
  • Drop it
  • Leave it
  • Down

Knowing the rules will make your furry friend less likely to become lost or injured. Basic command training relies heavily on positive reinforcement through rewards, such as treats and verbal praise. 

Ensure your pet has proper identification

A missing pet is one of the worst nightmares for pet owners. However, sometimes curious pets get out of the yard or become lost during travel. Having up-to-date ID tags for your pet gives them a better chance of being returned safely to you. One of the best methods of identification is the microchip. Microchipping is a simple procedure whereby a tiny chip, the size of a grain of rice, is implanted in the scruff of the neck. Microchips are a permanent form of identification, whereas tags and collars can easily fall off. 

Understand basic pet emergency preparedness

Familiarize yourself with basic pet first aid, such as how to perform CPR and handle wounds. The American Red Cross offers online courses specific to pet first aid. Additionally, keep a pet first aid kit on hand with supplies such as bandages, antiseptic, and contact information for our hospital and after-hours vet emergency clinics.

By following our preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of common pet emergencies and ensure your four-legged friend stays healthy and happy. Contact our Walnut Creek Vet Hospital team if you suspect your pet is injured or unwell.