Pet Parents Warned of Hidden Health Risks
The dog days of summer are quickly approaching, and with the warm weather comes an increase in outdoor pet activities, including dog park visits. To help protect the health and well-being of dogs across the country, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) is educating pet parents of the hidden dangers of dog parks.
“Pet parents are drawn to the wonderful social and exercise benefits of dog parks, but few are aware that dog parks can impose health risks for their pet,” explained Monica Leighton, President of the NAPPS. “At the core of NAPPS’ mission is a commitment to the welfare of animals. We urge pet parents to fully investigate the hidden dangers of dog parks before visiting one to protect their pet.”
Should a pet parent choose to visit a dog park, NAPPS has prepared the following tips to help make the visit both fun and safe:
• Bring a container of water to the park for your dog. The provided water stations are often used by raccoons or other wildlife during the night, and can spread dangerous infections, such as leptospirosis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease.
• Wipe your dog’s paws after leaving the dog park. The park’s soil can be a source of parasites and diseases and should be cleaned from the dog’s paws immediately.
• Make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations prior to visiting the dog park. Through playful activity, pets can be exposed to other dogs that have not received proper vaccinations.
PetLynx also recommends that all dogs visiting an off-leash park wear a buckle collar with current, traceable identification -- such as a PetLynx tag and dog licence.
Pet Parents are further advised to be vigilant about keeping identification records up-to-date with current contact information. This helps to ensure that lost dogs can quickly be reunited with their worried owners.
Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor
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