Keeping Your Dog Safe Inside the Dog Park

With the weather heating up, more pet owners are taking their dogs outdoors for some exercise and fun in the sun. One of the best and most popular spots for outdoor fun is the local dog park where a group of pooches can play and socialize with their four-legged friends. With the popularity of dog parks at an all-time high, pet owners should remember the importance of safety while visiting the dog park.

VPI policyholders spent more than $8.6 million on medical conditions that are commonly associated with a visit to the dog park in 2011. We recently sorted our database of more than 420,000 canines to determine common dog park-related medical conditions in 2011. These were the results:

Common Dog Park-Related Medical Conditions

• Sprains and Soft Tissue Injuries
• Lacerations and Bite Wounds
• Kennel Cough/Upper Respiratory Infection
• Insect Bites
• Head Trauma
• Hyperthermia or Heat Stroke
• Parasites
• Parvovirus

The cost of these injuries can range from as much as $584 for hyperthermia or heat stroke to $141 for insect bites. In hopes of avoiding a costly trip the next time you visit the dog park, here are a few simple, but important tips:

• Obey all posted rules and regulations
• Pay attention to your dog at all times
• Don’t bring a puppy younger than four months old
• Make sure your dog is up to date on vaccinations and has a valid license
• Keep a collar on your dog
• On very warm days, avoid the dog park during peak temperature hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Look for signs of overheating; including profuse and rapid panting, a bright red tongue, thick drooling saliva and lack of coordination. If this occurs, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately.

For more tips on making your next trip to the dog park all bark and no bite, visit the VPI Pet HealthZone.