Did you know April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month? While it’s always important to make sure your pets are safe and sound, this month serves as a great opportunity for all pet owners to brush up on tips to keep our furry friends healthy and happy! Below are some must-know tips for any pet owner; check them out and share with others!

Choking Hazards

We’ve all seen first-aid signs in restaurants and schools regarding what to do if a person is choking. Most of us are familiar with the Heimlich maneuver should we ever be faced with a choking situation. But, have you ever considered what you’d do if your dog started to choke?

If your dog is choking on something, whether it be a piece of food, a toy, or an object they shouldn’t have in the first place, the first thing you should do is open his or her mouth. If you can see the object, attempt to pull it out of his or her throat. If that doesn’t work, there are three other techniques you can use.

    1. Pick the dog up from his or her hind legs to see if gravity will help to dislodge the object.

2.  Use the heel of your hand to deliver 4-5 sharp blows between your dog’s shoulder blades.

3. The canine Heimlich maneuver is another option. Put your arms around the dog’s waist, place your fist just under the soft       spot under your dog’s rib cage, and make sure his or her head is pointing downwards. Give 3-5 thrusts inwards and upwards.

If your dog is still struggling after you’ve tried all of these techniques you should begin rescue breathing to force air into their lungs. At this point, you should make your way to a veterinary hospital.

Other Hazards

As with humans, there are a plethora of other hazards your pet can face. From nearly drowning to being poisoned or suffering from a head injury or a wound, there are many scenarios for which you should be prepared. Luckily, there are many great resources out there for pet owners including pet aid training courses, first aid guides, and tools to put together your own first aid kit.

It’s never too late to be prepared. While we may think or hope that our pets will never succumb to such incidents, it’s better to be prepared then left absolutely knowledgeable in a moment of crisis. Use this month to get educated and help to inform other pet owners– you never know when you may need to take action!

Did you know we sell special Pet Safety signs on our website? In case of a flood, fire, or other household emergency, these locally made signs will alert authorities as to how many pets you have in your home. Pick one or two up today– your pets will thank you!