Keeping Dogs Safe from Outdoor Hazards

You might not think twice about letting your dog hang out unsupervised in a securely fenced yard, but even the best fences can't keep some dangers from encroaching into your pup's territory. For your dog's safety and your peace of mind, follow this guide to learn how to keep dogs healthy and safe when you can't be there to keep an eye on them.

Backyard Dog Safety Hazards

Here are some of the most common threats to your dog's health and safety that might show up in your backyard.

Toxic Plants and Mulch

Toxic plants are one of the most prevalent backyard dangers to dogs. In addition to common garden plants, such as daffodils, hydrangeas, elephant ears and anything in the lily family, wild mushrooms and some weeds like milkweed also pose a threat. While typically not harmful unless ingested, if your dog gets curious and eats a toxic plant, they could experience clinical signs as mild as upset stomach and vomiting or as serious as heart or liver failure.

Depending on where you live, poison ivy, oak or sumac might also be hazardous to your dog. While long fur may protect your dog from developing a rash, they can transfer the oils from these plants to humans. And if your dog is allergic, ingesting these plants could cause a severe reaction that could include difficulty breathing and anaphylactic shock.

A closely related threat is certain kinds of mulch. Cocoa mulch is becoming increasingly popular among gardeners for its insect-repellent properties and nutrient value. But, as a byproduct of chocolate production, this mulch is just as toxic to your dog as a chocolate bar.

Sharp Objects

This is one dog safety hazard that's often overlooked. While you might think to place barriers around cactus plants, rose bushes or other thorny plants to protect your pup, it might not occur to you that those sticks your dog loves to chase and chew can also pose a threat. Splinters can break off and cause damage to your dog's mouth or intestinal tract, even potentially damaging the lungs if inhaled, says Preventive Vet. Certain grasses and weeds can also produce burrs that could become painfully embedded in your pooch's paws and skin. And splinters don't just come from chewing sticks — weathered boards on wooden decks or porches can hurt your pup's paws as well. And don't forget about other objects that you might leave lying around outside such as rakes, shovels or small children's toys. While these might seem fairly harmless for your dog to sniff around, the potential of them not seeing a sharp object while chasing a squirrel or other small critters can be enough to turn it into a real hazard.

Ticks and Mosquitoes

Ticks and mosquitoes are more than just pests that make your dog itch — they both carry diseases that pose a serious health hazard to humans and pets alike. Mosquitoes carry heartworm larvae that can be transferred to your dog through a single bite. While heartworm prevention can keep your dog safe from that culprit, don't forget to also protect your dog against tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, canine ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever that can make your dog seriously ill.

Wild Animals and Strays

While fences are great for keeping your dog in, they're not always so good at keeping other animals out. Fences are usually little to no barrier to determined stray cats or dogs and wild animals like raccoons. In addition to the potential wounds your pup might get if they find themselves in a confrontation, these animals also carry rabies and other transmissible diseases.

Fur-covered wildlife isn't the only potential doggie danger. Venomous snakes and poisonous toads are hard to keep out of any garden. Even non-poisonous reptiles could transmit salmonella and other bacteria and parasites if your pooch gobbles them up. Depending on where you live, large predators like alligators or pythons might be something you need to watch out for. Small dogs in particular make a tantalizing target for hawks and other large birds of prey.