Protect your dog from choking hazards

Dogs will eat anything, and, as a result, choking is a serious concern. In fact, many common toys and treats are considered a choking hazard. One of the most common choking hazards for dogs is rawhide chews. Rawhides are very common treats that are found in every pet supply store. They're also very popular with dogs; very few will turn their nose up at a rawhide strip! The downside of rawhides, though, is that dogs can pull off tiny, hard pieces which can easily get lodged in their throats. Rawhides cause so many choking issues they are actually not allowed in the shelter as it is impossible for the staff members to supervise all the dogs at all times. In your own home, if you give your dog a rawhide strip or bone, make sure they only chew on it while you are supervising and always take it away if you will not be watching. On a similar note, bones from meat (like chicken) also pose a choking hazard and should not be given to your dog as they can easily splinter and get lodged in your dog's throat.

When choosing toys for your dog, it's important to take into account both the size of your dog and how strong of a chewer he is with toys. Some dogs are more destructive than others and will shred toys into small pieces while others are happy to play gently. The squeaker in squeaky toys, shreds of thread from rope toys, and pieces of rubber from balls and other chew toys (like Kongs) are all choking hazards. Likewise, little toys meant for small breed dogs pose a risk for large breed dogs that can accidentally swallow them whole.

Finally, a very common item that dogs choke on that is neither a toy nor a treat is rocks. Some dogs have a tendency to chew on rocks. In addition to causing damage to their teeth - and being indigestible if swallowed - they can also cause your dog to choke. If your dog is fond of rocks, be aware that they are very dangerous for your pet to put in his mouth.

Just because items are considered choking hazards does not mean your dog cannot enjoy them. It does mean, though, that you need to be prepared to supervise your dog when he's playing with these toys. It's also a good idea to break treats into smaller pieces that are easier for your dog to chew - especially if you have a dog like mine that will try to swallow food whole! Remember - taking the extra time to be cautious can potentially save your dog's life!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, a cat, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.