Many pet parents may think injury prevention is more relevant to highly active and professional working dogs. Unfortunately, all types of dog breeds are at risk of injuries. How often your dog moves like a full handbrake turn when playing fetch, tumble, chase around with their fellows, and play strenuously, can increase their injury risk. However, practicing caution can considerably enhance their safety and quality of life while doing the activities they enjoy.

As we proceed, we will discuss a few simple guidelines to prevent injuries in your animal companion so they can continue their regular activities normally.

How to Prevent Dog Injuries

Keeping your pet locked up in their cage or stopping them from playing isn’t the answer. Although it is impossible to completely prevent dog injuries, watching out for some environmental and lifestyle factors might help reduce the risk.

Here are five useful ways to reduce your pet’s injury risk.

1. Maintain Their Healthy Weight

Overweight dogs tend to have a higher injury risk due to the added pressure their joints, bones, and muscles carry. By keeping your pet’s weight healthy, you’re also reducing their risk of developing arthritis early on and promoting their joint health. If you want your dog to enjoy doing their favorite activities, avoid overfeeding them and never let their weight get past the healthy range.

2. Assist With Furniture and Vehicle Exits

A carefree jump out of a vehicle can result in an impactful or unsteady landing. Avoid unnecessary impact on your pet’s shoulders, knees, spine, and elbows by lifting your pet in and out of the car. Lifting your pup off and onto furniture can also minimize jolting. Consider using portable pet stairs or ramps if your pet is too big for human guidance to provide safer walks on elevation changes.

3. Warm Up Before Exercising

Warming up is essential before performing any exercise. The same applies to our animal companions, especially the highly energetic kinds. Giving your pet a quick warmup by walking or jogging for a few minutes before any intense exercise can loosen up joints and increase muscular blood circulation, reducing their chances of muscular strains and sprains.

4. Look for Signs of Weakness

Numerous high-energy canines can overexert themselves beyond their level of fitness, so study your pet and know when their muscles are tired. Weakness is among the common signs of muscle fatigue and can cause the dog to pace. Pushing those muscles further will only cause injury, so give your pet sufficient time or days to rest before engaging them in regular activities.

If you think the sign of weakness is not caused by muscle fatigue or routine activities, take your dog to pet imaging centers to examine and treat their condition immediately.

5. Remove Obstacles and Objects That May Contribute to Injuries

Is there furniture that your dog or child likes to climb on that could put them in harm’s way? Are there items or toys that could potentially be dangerous to their well-being if played together? The safest thing you can do is remove everything from their environment that might threaten their safety.

To End

Your animal companion might not be a sporting or professional working dog, but they always give their best in everything they do. It is our part as their parents to keep them safe and protected. Following and implementing the simple tips we’ve enumerated above can help your dog stay healthy while doing the activities they love for a long time.