Our pets are curious creatures that love to check things out for themselves. They sniff, they paw, they search, and they escape. All of this inevitably can lead to injuries. Even the most cautious dogs can find themselves in a situation where they’ve injured themselves at no fault of their own—or yours. So, what do you do if you notice your dog limping or your dog is injured? Keep reading for some tips to help you care for your injured pet & info to help you identify an injury in your dog.
Common Dog Injuries
Just like with us humans, there are countless ways dogs can get injured. They might experience a traumatic accident of some kind, or hurt themselves going about their everyday routine. And while our dogs have very different anatomy than we do, they can experience many of the same injuries as people. Here are some of the most common dog injuries you should watch out for:
- Strains & Sprains: Dogs can strain and sprain their muscles and ligaments, just like us humans can. Your pet might overdo things at the dog park and cause his muscles to tear or he might leap for a frisbee and land wrong, resulting in a sprain. It’s important to help your pet support healthy muscle function because muscle strain is a common occurrence in dogs. It can be mildly uncomfortable for your pet and heal on its own or, in more serious instances, muscle strains and sprains can be incredibly disruptive for your dog and even require surgery to recover.
- Broken Bones: Dogs can break bones and it’s no fun for Fido when this happens. Maintaining a healthy weight, getting plenty of exercise, and eating a balanced diet all play a role in your pet’s skeletal health, but he still could break a bone. This will always require Vet intervention, so make sure your dog gets in for X-rays ASAP if you suspect he has broken a bone.
- Cuts & Gashes: If your pet likes to explore, chances are he’s come back with a scratch at least once in his lifetime! Our pets can get themselves into tricky situations and while it’s fine most of the time, it could result in cuts and abrasions. Dog fights, bites, and scratches are also a common cause of injury and can result in gashes and other abrasions.
- Foreign Body Ingestion: Another common injury that Vets have said they see all too often is foreign body ingestion If your dog has a penchant for chomping on socks or has ever accidentally swallowed a toy, you know how harmful this can be. Ingesting anything he shouldn’t, can be incredibly uncomfortable for your dog and cause some serious health issues, so it’s best to visit the Vet as soon as your dog swallows something that’s not food or a treat!
There are countless other ways your dog might find himself unwell or injured, but these are some of the most frequently seen health issues and dog injuries. If your pet is experiencing any of the injuries above, make sure you bring Fido to the Vet in a timely manner. You don’t want his condition to get worse because you haven’t taken swift action! And, keep in mind that our pets are incredibly good at hiding their true emotions and your dog might be experiencing more discomfort than he’s letting on.
What To Watch Out For
While some injuries are obvious and seriously affect your pet, there are plenty of injuries that are far more subtle and won’t be obvious to your eye. It’s important to keep a close eye on your dog and to frequently check your pet for sore muscles, cuts, and other potential injuries. Your dog is one tough cookie and might be hiding his discomfort from you. Here are some of the things you should watch out for:
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Limping: Your dog might limp a little bit when he walks, or he might completely avoid one of his paws. If this is the case, it’s a sign that there is something wrong and that your dog is uncomfortable.
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Muscle Shaking: If your dog has a sore, sprained, or otherwise injured muscle, he might flint or shake when touched. If you notice this, it’s a good idea to take him to the Vet.
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Bleeding: Always address injuries that result in bleeding, even if they don’t seem like a big deal. Your Vet will be able to help you determine whether or not his abrasion needs further medical attention.
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Sore Paws: If your dog is licking at or paying extra attention to his paws, it could be a sign that something is feeling sore.
- Changes In Behavior: If your dog is more lethargic than normal or you notice other changes to your dog’s behavior, it could be a sign that he is injured.
How To Help Your Dog At Home
There are many things you can do at home to be prepared in the event that your dog gets an injury. You can’t prevent an injury from happening in all scenarios, but you can have all the gear you’ll need to be stocked in your space and you can support your pet’s health to help him recover quickly if he does get injured.
Keep A First Aid Kit Handy
Make sure you have first-aid essentials on hand in case your dog gets injured. You should have a kit that’s pet-specific and includes things your dog might need, like gauze, pet-safe pain killers, and more. When you’re traveling, it’s also a good idea to bring a paired-down version of your dog’s first aid kit with you, especially if you’re headed somewhere your dog will be extra active.
Promote Rest & Relaxation
When your dog is injured, he needs plenty of TLC and rest, and relaxation to recover. Try your best to keep your dog calm and consider adding soothing ingredients to his daily diet during this time. Look for supplements or foods that include chamomile and hemp to help your dog stay relaxed. Make sure he has a space to curl up and recover and spend plenty of time by his side, so he’s not tempted to beg for playtime!
Add Some Supplemental Help
In addition to soothing supplements, look for ingredients that will support your dog’s immune system, something that can help your dog have a speedy recovery after an injury. Antioxidant-rich ingredients are a great option, as are probiotics since they target your dog’s gut health, and in turn, promote healthy immune function. If your dog has a muscle injury, look for ingredients that promote muscle recovery, like Magnesium and if your dog has a broken bone, make sure he has plenty of Calcium in his diet. Adding a dog-friendly multivitamin to your pet’s diet is a great way to help ensure he’s consuming plenty of both of those ingredients.
Pet Honesty Products To Consider For Your Dog
One of the best ways to support your dog is by feeding him a balanced diet and making sure he’s consuming all the vitamins, minerals, and healthy compounds his body needs each and every day. A great way to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients his four-legged body needs is by adding a multivitamin like 10-for-1 Multivitamin to his diet. It’s packed with dog-specific nutrition that’s safe to feed him every day and will help ensure his body is supported with all the ingredients he needs to live his happiest and healthiest life.
Sources:
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/pet-first-aid-basic-procedures
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-first-aid-kit-essentials/
