|
 Fluffy
may love her ball of yarn, and Rover may chase after that darn
stick all day, but pet owners must be cautious when offering
toys to their pets. Many household items that become pet toys, either
with or without your knowledge, can be dangerous-even fatal-to
your furry friend. If not used in the appropriate manner, some
store-bought pet toys, too, can cause problems.
Pet
owners should take note of the following potential toy hazards:
-
Sticks and bones can splinter and cause choking or vomiting, or
they can perforate the mouth, throat or intestine. Hard bones
can easily damage teeth. Instead, use hard, non-splintering
chew toys to play fetch or to allow your pet to gnaw.
-
A
chewing pet can shred soft, latex toys. If the toy includes a
squeaking mechanism, the squeaker can be easily swallowed or
cause choking.
-
Towels, socks, underwear and other similar clothing or materials
can be swallowed by a rambunctious pet, causing intestinal
obstruction.
-
Some
dogs like to chew on or eat rocks-bad idea! Rocks can cause
broken teeth and serious intestinal obstruction if swallowed.
-
Be
careful if you offer your pet rawhides, as these can also cause
intestinal obstruction if swallowed, and some are preserved with
arsenic, which is toxic to pets.
-
Some
cats enjoy hiding out in plastic bags, but if they get their
head stuck in the handles and panic, choking or suffocating
could occur.
-
String, yarn, feathers and rubber bands often offer enticing
play for cats, but these can be swallowed whole, possibly
lodging in the intestinal tract and causing blockage. If only
partially swallowed, this, too, can result in severe problems.
For instance, one end of the string can wrap around the cat's
tongue while the rest of the string is swallowed. If you ever
see your kitty with string (or a similar object) caught in its
mouth, NEVER try to pull it out. If the string is lodged
internally, pulling it can cut the cat's intestines, killing
him. Instead, see your veterinarian immediately.
-
Be
aware of sharp objects that can cut skin, feet, eyes or ears.
-
For
birds, bells can be problematic. Most medium-sized or larger
parrots can take apart a bell and choke on the clapper.
-
Leather, if not specially tanned, can be toxic to birds.
-
Paint and wood preservatives can also be toxic to your feathered
friend.
If you
notice anything unusual about your pet's behaviour or health, call
your veterinarian right away. If a toy or part of a toy is
swallowed, signs of problems (like intestinal upset or blockage) may
occur within minutes or hours; other times, you may not notice
anything unusual for days. The obstruction may pass through with no
more signs than vomiting or diarrhoea. Or it may cause blockage, in
which case your pet may be constipated or not want to eat. In any
case, if you even suspect that your pet has swallowed a foreign
object, call the veterinarian immediately.
Used
appropriately and with common sense, many household and store-bought
pet toys can provide hours of
entertainment and exercise for your pet. It's a good idea, however,
to supervise your pet during play. Not only will this minimize the
chance of accidents happening, but you'll also be providing your pet
with quality time spent with his or her favourite toy-YOU!
Source;
www.healthypet.com |
