Staying Safe at the Dog Park

With the ability to exercise and play with other canines, dog parks are one the most enjoyable places for our furry friends to visit. However, dog parks can also be the site of a variety of injuries, including sprains, bites and heat stroke.

In 2012, VPI policyholders spent more than $8.8 million on medical conditions that are commonly associated with a visit to the dog park. VPI recently sorted its database of more than 430,000 canines to determine common dog park-related medical conditions. Below are 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

Before visiting, it is essential for pet owners to understand that dog parks have their rules, just like any other community. Below are a few simple, but important tips for ensuring a fun and safe trip to the dog park:

• 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 (such as rabies and parvovirus vaccine) and has a valid license
• Preventive medication will keep your pet from picking up fleas
• Keep a collar with identification on your dog at all times
• 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.