Safety Tips
Maltipoo Safety Tips
Overview
It usually isn’t until after a dog has been injured, hurt, or suffered from a close call with danger that pet parents start to think about safety. So, for the sake of your Maltipoo’s well-being, why not take a moment to go over these 10 safety tips? It can save lots of heartache and pain and some tips may even safe your dog’s life.
Safety Tip #1: Don’t leave your Maltipoo outside alone.
What to know:
Sure, it may save you time to just let your dog out the back door and maybe your Maltipoo doesn’t mind being unsupervised. But, even if your yard is fenced in, there are many real dangers. Just a few risks include:
- Ingestion of poisonous mushrooms
- Ingestion of toxic plants
- Stung by insects
- Attack by wild animals including birds of prey (horned owl, hawks)
- Attack by larger and aggressive dogs getting onto the property
- Overexposure to extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
- Possible escape attempts
What to do:
Accompany your Maltipoo outside and keep a close eye on them. This will not only will keep your dog safe, it is also your opportunity to offer praise and reward for bathroom deeds which reinforces good housebreaking skills.
Safety Tip #2: Buckle up your Maltipoo in the car.
What to know:
Have you ever stopped short, braked quickly, or took a turn and a shopping bag slid off your seat? The exact same thing can happen to an unrestrained dog. Here are some stats that help show the importance of buckling up a dog just like you would a child:
- It doesn’t matter if you don’t drive far, one-third of all vehicular accidents happen within 5 miles of home.
- Just having an unrestrained dog in the car increases the odds of an accident due to distracted driving. In a survey conducted by Kurgo and AAA regarding pets in cars, 13 % of owners hand out a treat while driving, 17% let their dog sit in their lap, 52% pet their dog while driving, and 3% have even taken a photo.
- When a car hits another car or object, unsecured items in the car are thrown like projectiles. If you are going 30 mph and your Maltipoo weighs 10 pounds, they’ll be thrown with the force of a 300-pound object. At 45 MPH, a 10-pound dog will be thrown with the force of a 450-pound object. Of course, this is enough to cause horrific injuries or death.
- Trauma is one of the leading causes of death for toy breed dogs.
What to do:
Buckle up your dog any time that they are a passenger in your car.
Options include pet seat buckles and pet car seats. For small dogs like the Maltipoo, you may wish to consider a raised booster seat like the Kurgo Skybox Car Booster Seat for Dogs
which is comfortable and easy to use and has the added benefit of helping to prevent motion sickness.
which is comfortable and easy to use and has the added benefit of helping to prevent motion sickness. Note that there is an inner buckle that is meant to be attached to a dog’s harness, not collar (more ahead on this in the next safety tip).
Safety Tip #3: Use a harness, not a collar.
What to know:
You may not give much though to the type of accessory your Maltpoo wears, but collars can be damaging, especially to small dogs. Here are some things to know about this:
- Toy and small breeds are prone to collapsed trachea, a painful condition that involves the rings of cartilage that surround the windpipe collapsing inward. Though dogs that are genetically predisposed to this can suffer from it at any rate, pressure and stress placed upon the neck can be a contributing factor.
- Over 90% of instances of dogs with neck injuries including bruising, whiplash, crushed trachea, larynx damage, and fractured vertebrae are linked to pulling and jerking while on leash and collar.
- It is also suspected that hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid), certain ear and eye issues, and even paw licking (due to nerve damage) may be linked to chronic collar use.
What to do:
Throw that collar away and use a harness.
Harnesses distribute pressure over a dog’s back, shoulders, and chest and leave the neck free. An added bonus is that it is much easier to control a dog when they are wearing a harness. If you haven’t yet taught your Maltipoo to heel, you may just want to try it once the collar is gone for good.
If you’re looking for a harness, the Puppia Soft B Harness
is a great one. It comes in a wide range of sizes, is a step-in design (there’s nothing that needs to be slipped over the head) that makes it fast and easy to put on and take off, and it’s made from a padded air-mesh material to make it comfortable year-round.
is a great one. It comes in a wide range of sizes, is a step-in design (there’s nothing that needs to be slipped over the head) that makes it fast and easy to put on and take off, and it’s made from a padded air-mesh material to make it comfortable year-round. Safety Tip #4: Never let your Maltipoo drink unfiltered tap water.
What to know:
When asked what’s really in tap water, it’s almost easier to say what isn’t. The list of harmful additives and toxins is absurd. And this applies to the majority of water in the US, not just a few random exceptions.
Here’s what to know about tap water in the US:
- Chromium-6, a known carcinogen is in the drinking water of over 200 million Americans.
- Fluoride is in a little of 60% of US tap water. This is a known toxin to canines, is linked to bone loss and deformities, kidney disease, hormone problems, and cognitive damage. And it is proven to cause osteosarcoma, the #1 cause of bone tumors in canines, developing in 8,000+ dogs each year in the US.
- Many public water supplies contain barium, beryllium, chlorite, chloramine, and trichloroethane (1, 1,2) which are linked to high blood pressure, intestinal lesions, eye and nose irritations, stomach problems, anemia, central nervous problems, organ damage, and immune system problems.
- Nearly all tap water contains traces of prescription drugs with the most notable drugs found in tap water being antidepressants, blood thinners, heart meds, birth control, and painkillers. Filters normally used at water treatment plants cannot catch these particles.
- 77 million Americans live in an area that has at least one public water safety violation.
What to do:
Do not allow your Maltipoo to drink unfiltered tap water (and you and other household members should not either). Offer bottled spring water, have a filtering system connected to your kitchen tap, or use a filtering device like the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher
which is amazingly effective.
which is amazingly effective. Safety Tip #5: Protect your Maltipoo’s paws.
What to know:
Paws can really take a beating and are often an area of concern for both puppies and dogs. Let’s look at some of the top problems:
- Paws can become dried out and irritated from elements on the ground such as lawn care treatments, ice melt products, small gravel, and gritty sand.
- Poor paw pad health can lead to issues with traction and mobility. Senior dogs are at the most risk for this.
- Hot pavement in the summertime is a major concern and can cause terrible burns in less than a minute. Some dogs have had the pads burn right off, down to the muscle.
- Snow in the wintertime can become wedged in between the toes. It can then melt, re-freeze into ice, and stretch the delicate skin there.
- Dogs are prone to lick, bite at, and nibble on paws. This may be due to injury, irritation, or itching. It’s common for a dog to focus on just the paws even if there is a full-body issue such as allergies. Excessive licking can lead to open sores and cracking which is then vulnerable to infections.
What to do:
1. In the summer, if the ground is too hot for you to press your hand to it, it is too hot for your Maltipoo to walk on it. Move to the grass or follow a shaded route.
2. Routinely check the paws for cuts, abrasions, burns, slivers, and other paw pad damage.
3. Use a paw wax year-round. This will help repel pollen, sand, lawn chemicals, and all sorts of other contact irritants and allergens.
In the summer, it can help offer a layer of protection from hot surfaces. But, do keep in mind that it cannot make paws invincible and you should still test the ground; if you cannot keep your hand pressed down that means it is too hot for your dog to walk on. In the winter, it will help prevent dry paw skin and will give a dog excellent traction.
A good wax like Musher's Secret Paw Protection Wax
will also keep paw skin properly moisturized year-round to prevent itching, peeling, and other issues. This should be applied once a week.
will also keep paw skin properly moisturized year-round to prevent itching, peeling, and other issues. This should be applied once a week. 4. If your Maltipoo’s paws are very itchy and bothersome, work with the vet to find the root of the problem before it spirals into sores or deep cracks. In the meantime, offer fast and effective relief with an all-natural spray like Bodhi Dog Anti-Itch Oatmeal Spray
.
. Safety Tip #6: Dog-proof the house.
What to know:
Most pet parents ‘puppy proof’ the house when they are first expecting to bring home a new canine family member. But this safety tip is not just for puppies. Adult dogs can mouth just about anything and often are much better at reaching dangerous items than their younger counterparts.
Dogs of all sizes have swallowed things such as batteries, coins, socks, sewing needles, candy wrappers, jewelry, and pieces of children's toys. While many instances involve items on the floor, there are also cases of dogs getting into lower cabinets, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom.
This has led to choking and emergency surgeries. Not all dogs survived.
Another concern is electrical cords and wires that can cause painful burns to a dog’s mouth or even electrocution.
What to do:
Routinely check the floors for small objects and ask all family members to be aware of this danger and pick up any items as soon as they fall. Even if your Maltipoo has never before paid attention to electrical cords, position them out of reach or use something like the Petcords Dog and Cat Cord Protector
to prevent injuries.
to prevent injuries. Safety Tip #7: Don't let your Maltipoo ingest harmful food additives.
What to know:
It is outright shocking what is allowed to be in FDA-regulated dog food. Certain ingredients can lead to a host of issues including allergic reactions (skin reactions, itching, breathing issues) and digestive issues, and serious health problems seen with long-term ingestion including organ damage, neurological issues, and some forms of cancer.
Of top concern are:
- Fillers
- Synthetic preservatives
- Artificial coloring dyes
- Artificial flavoring additives
- By-products
- Generic meats
- High levels of gluten
What to do:
When you’re looking for the best food for your Maltipoo, you want to choose an all-natural brand with zero artificial preservatives, coloring, or dyes, that has only wholesome, real ingredients. Look for added extras such as good levels of omega fatty acids and probiotics. And for dogs that have suspected or known gluten allergies, stick with grains that have no or low gluten such as rice (brown or white) and quinoa.
Safety Tip #8: Make seasonal adjustments.
What to know:
To keep your Maltipoo safe, you may need to implement certain care tactics depending on the weather and temperature.
In the summer:
- Take steps to prevent heat exhaustion (stress or stroke) by monitoring your Maltipoo when outside. Avoid taking walks during the hottest parts of the day. During outside activity, provide lots of water and take breaks. Have a canine thermometer on hand to assess body temperature. Be prepared to treat for this with wet towels and fans. Moderate to severe cases require emergency veterinary care.
- Keep your Maltipoo hydrated by encouraging water intake at home, bringing water along for walks or any outings, and offering ice cubes and/or fruits high in water content (water melon, strawberries, blueberries) on hot days.
- If you’ll be out with your Maltipoo for several hours (especially at the beach or other area where water can reflect up onto a dog’s belly and/or if your guy or gal has a light-color coat), use a canine sunscreen like Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray for Pets
. Note that many human sunscreens contain zinc which is toxic to dogs.
- Help protect the paws by applying paw wax as covered earlier in 'Safety Tip #5'.
. Note that many human sunscreens contain zinc which is toxic to dogs. In the winter:
- Keep up with your Maltipoo’s regular exercise schedule as much as possible.
- Help your little guy or gal stay warm and dry with a canine coat. One like the Kuoser Waterproof Windproof Coat for Dogs
has a warm fleece ling and is water-proof.
- Apply a paw wax once a week throughout the season, as mentioned earlier under ‘Safety Tip #5' to prevent ice from splitting the skin in between the toes and to help your dog have better traction in wintry weather conditions.
has a warm fleece ling and is water-proof. A Final Word
While we pet parents stay very busy grooming, exercising, playing with, and snuggling with our little guys and gals, we may not always be thinking about safety precautions. But our canine family members count on us to protect them. It’s always worth reassessing how things are done to see if there are adjustments or changes that should be made.
Other Helpful Articles:
How to Keep a Maltipoo Clean
- If you have a dog that seems to be constantly dirty, see these easy tips for keeping your little guy or gal clean in between baths.
Home Cooking for a Maltipoo
- If you've ever thought about moving away from processed food for your dog or you've been doing this for a while and are looking for new recipes, you'll find some great tips here.
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Products for a Maltipoo
- The emphasis here is on no-chemical options since pesticides can cause a wide range of issues. Read how to protect your puppy or dog while using all-natural products.
When a Maltipoo has Allergies
- Allergies can be very tricky to both diagnose and treat. See our tips to help with allergies and offer immediate relief for symptoms including severe itching.