Playtime With Your Dog: 3 Safety Tips
Playtime with your dog is important for your dog. It's exercise for your dog and can stimulate their brain, in addition to keeping them in good shape. Playtime can be a number of things, including playing tug-of-war, fetch, or even just wrestling with your dog on the floor. This time with your dog is fun for them, but it needs to be done safely to prevent your dog from getting injured or anyone else in your household getting injured. Read on for a few safety tips for playtime with your dog.
Use Canine Safe Toys
Be sure you are playing with toys that are meant for your dog. Sure, some things appear to look like a dog toy, but they may be made of things that aren't actually safe for your dog. Some things may be treated with chemicals that aren't pet-friendly, so be sure to only use dog toys for playtime with your furry buddy.
Inspect Toys Often
Inspect your dog's toys often to ensure they are still safe for play. If your dog has frayed their rope or has begun chewing through a stuffed toy, these should be thrown out. If your dog ingests any of these things, they could get injured and end up needing surgery to have the items removed from their intestines. Other toys such as balls or bones should also be inspected. If they look damaged or have unsafe areas on them, they should be thrown away. Invest in new toys if any of the toys are damaged.
Play Safely With Your Pet
When playing with your pet, remember not to wear them out too much. Some dogs, such as labs, will run and run until their legs completely give out. They don't know when to quit and it could be very dangerous for them. Know when your dog is tired and when to stop playtime. When wrestling with your dog, don't be too rough with your dog. You could end up seriously injuring them, or you could end up injured if your dog has had enough. When playing tug-of-war with your dog, make sure your dog doesn't tug too hard that they harm someone in their way or end up harming themselves in the process.
Playing with your dog is a great way to bond with your dog and it gives them the exercise they need for both their body and their mind. If you aren't playing safely with your dog though, they could end up injured or they could cause injury to someone else. Be sure you are playing safely with your dog and are keeping them safe as well.
For more information, contact your veterinarian.
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