6 Dangers when walking

Besides feeding time, the daily walk is an absolute highlight for your four-legged friend. During this time he can run around, romp with other dogs or sniff out exciting tracks. Your darling may also just enjoy the fresh air; the main thing is that he can walk by your side. But beware: Whether in the city, on meadows and fields or in the forest - there are also dangers lurking! We'll explain what they are and what you can do to ensure the health and safety of your furry friend and your environment.

1. Poisonings

Fertilizers are increasingly used in agriculture, especially in the spring. Garden fertilizer use in your neighborhood and on sidewalks near settlements on your walking route also poses dangers to your dog. In residential neighborhoods and parks, insecticides, poison bait that may be used against rodents or birds, or plantings of plants that are toxic to your dog can also pose a danger. Some furry noses tend to find lying around waste or compost particularly exciting - however, this is also not without danger. If harmful substances are ingested by your darling, they even quite often lead to serious poisoning symptoms such as:

If you notice one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms in your pet, it is best to consult a veterinarian immediately, so that in the event of poisoning, he or she can take all necessary measures to stabilize and recover your furry friend.

2. Infections

When tracking in the fields or exploring in the woods, your furry friend can get infected with diseases that are transmitted through carrion and through the droppings of other dogs, wild animals and horses. Such diseases include distemper, which can also be transmitted through contact with wildlife and other dogs, and parvovirus (also called canine or feline distemper).

Stagnant water, such as small ponds and puddles, but also flowing water can be contaminated with pesticides that get into the water from the fields, or form disease-causing bacteria.

Parasites, such as worms, can also be transmitted in this way. Ticks also lurk in the tall grass: they like to bite the skin to feed on the blood of the host and can also transmit dangerous pathogens.

3. Quarrels

During long walks, your pet especially enjoys exploring the surroundings without a leash. Playing ball and romping in the meadow together is also a lot of fun. You should be a little careful when other dogs join in: Even if your dog is obedient and can be called off, keep him on a leash when meeting dogs. If necessary, ask the other person to put their dog on a leash. As with humans, there are also communicative misunderstandings or antipathies between dogs from time to time. A threat can then quickly be followed by an attack, which could have serious consequences.

4. Accidents

Your four-legged friend is obedient and listens to your command in any situation? Congratulations! All the time and effort you put into raising and training your pet is paying off big time now. Because many of the following accidents caused by dogs result from carelessness of the owner or lack of education of the four-legged friend.

● Game accidents:

Especially dogs with a pronounced hunting behavior perceive every movement already from a distance and react faster than we do. In addition, they are excellent track sniffers. If a dog smells game nearby, it may pick up the scent, locate the prey, and run for it posthaste. In most cases, a dog in this situation can no longer be called off and, in the worst case, chases the wild animal to its death, either because it is exhausted or because it runs in front of a moving car near the road. Qualified hunters and foresters are allowed to shoot down poaching dogs in order to avert danger, according to the current state hunting law. Danger defense means in this case to protect the game from disturbance. Not only the chase is considered poaching, but also rummaging dogs can endanger the game and its brood.

● Traffic accidents:

Some dogs love to play chase, behaving stormily or jumping joyfully at anyone who crosses their path. However, what you may perceive as cute and bright can quickly cause conflict and lead to a dangerous and costly end. Whether it's bicyclists, in-line skaters or pedestrians, keep your dog with you and leashed when you encounter passersby. Possibly pedestrians are afraid of your four-legged friend, the cyclist gets frightened and falls or the inline skater loses his balance due to the stormy greeting. Personal injury and property damage are not uncommon here.

● Off-road accidents:

Your pet can suffer open wounds from sharp branches or rocks, thorny plants and ears of grain while romping around and running free. In addition, tractor tracks, burrows and potholes, or burrows of isolated wild animals are hidden tripping hazards. If your darling jumps carelessly over the field and represents itself in such an unevenness, it can pull itself in the misfortune bone fractures, ligament tears, strains or tendon damages. A happy walk or a lively romp can quickly come to an abrupt end, so keep your eyes open and, if in doubt, move your playful scuffle to the garden at home or a nearby park with a manageable green area.

6. Extreme weather conditions

Whether it's heat, cold or severe weather - in extreme weather conditions you should adjust your walks together accordingly.

For example, in the summer, when it's hot, you should make sure your dog has enough shade and water, but in the winter you should be aware of several cold weather hazards. Not only overheating but also frostbite can be life-threatening. In strong winds or even thunderstorms, there is danger from falling branches or flying objects. You should especially avoid forests during and after a storm.