Keeping your Dog safe
- Ensure your garden is escape proof as larger dogs can jump or scale fences less than two metres high.
- Always keep your dog on a short (not an extending)lead near roads and livestock.
- Keep all chocolate, cocoa powder, raisins, grapes and macadamia nuts shut away, as these are poisonous to dogs.
- Do not use cocoa shell mulch in your garden as this can cause illness and sometimes death.
- Do not use rat poison, slug pellets, weed killers, fertilizers (especially bone meal) or insecticides that are dangerous to dogs.
- Use a car harness, crate or fitted case when travelling in the car.
- Never leave your dog in a warm or hot car (even with the windows open) as it could suffer very quickly from heatstroke.
- Lock away all medicines, cleaning products and dangerous chemicals.
- Always take care to make sure your dog cannot run out of an open front door or escape through an open window.
- Never leave your dog alone tied up outside a shop in case it gets stolen.
- Keep your dog inside on fireworks night, and keep it on a lead when outside.
- Do not let your dog hang its head out of an open car window.
There are also many house and garden plants that are poisonous to dogs, here are some of the most common ones: amaryllis bulbs, asparagus fern, azalea, cyclamen, daffodil bulbs, day lilies, delphiniums, foxgloves, hemlock, hyacinth, hydrangea, ivy, laburnum, lilies, lily of the valley, lupine, mistletoe, morning glory, nightshade, oleander, poinsettia, rhododendron, rhubarb leaves, sweet pea, tulip bulbs, umbrella plant, wisteria, yew, and some berries, mushrooms and toadstools. If your dog chews or eats any of these, seek veterinary help immediately.