🚑 Preventing Health and Safety Crises in Pets – First Aid Vet Tips for 2025 by Dr Duncan Houston

Many pet emergencies are preventable with proper care and planning. In this 2025 guide, Dr Duncan Houston shares essential strategies for reducing risk, improving everyday safety, and keeping your pets thriving in every environment. 🐶🐱❤️

🥗 1. Nutrition & Feeding

• 🦴 Feed balanced, species-specific diets—no table scraps
• ⏱️ Stick to regular feeding schedules
• ⚠️ Poor feeding habits may cause obesity, pancreatitis, diabetes, and more

💧 2. Clean, Fresh Water

Hydration is critical—especially for seniors and young pets. Dehydration can quickly become life-threatening. Always keep clean water accessible. 🐾💦

🏡 3. A Safe Environment

• 🚫 Don’t allow pets to roam—risks include cars, attacks, poisoning
• 🔒 Secure fences, gates, and dangerous areas like pools or balconies

🌡️ 4. Temperature Control

• ☀️ Avoid heatstroke: Never leave pets in cars
• 🐶 Brachycephalic breeds (like Bulldogs, Pugs) are high-risk in heat
• 🌬️ Provide shade and ventilation at all times

🏃 5. Daily Exercise

Pets need space and stimulation. Create a safe area with toys, bedding, and shelter. Exercise prevents obesity and boredom-based behaviors. 🎾

🪢 6. Leash Safety & Tethering Risks

• ⚠️ Avoid chains or cables that can entangle or choke
• 🐕 Use harnesses and safe tie-outs only if supervised

🪪 7. Proper Identification

• 📛 Use collars with tags and your contact info
• 📍 Microchips help reunite you if your pet is lost

⚡ 8. Electrical Safety

• 🔌 Hide cords—especially from puppies and kittens
• 🔥 Biting cords can cause burns or death

😬 9. Choking Hazards

• 🧦 Common risks: bones, socks, toys, balls, yarn
• 🗑️ Keep household trash and laundry inaccessible

☠️ 10. Poison Prevention

• 🧪 Unsafe items: fertilizers, insecticides, chocolate, grapes, raisins
• 🌿 Lilies are deadly to cats
• 🩺 OTC meds like Tylenol, ibuprofen, or No-Doz are toxic—ask a vet first

🚘 11. Travel Safety

• 🚗 Use carriers for cats and seat belts or harnesses for dogs
• 🚫 Avoid riding in truck beds—risk of injury or death
• 📍 Tether dogs securely if they must travel in a ute

🩺 12. Regular Vet Check-Ups

• 📆 Annual exams catch disease early and guide care
• 🦷 Vet cleanings and home brushing prevent dental disease

💉 13. Vaccinations Save Lives

Keep your pets protected with vaccines appropriate to your region:

• Dogs: Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella, Lyme, Lepto
• Cats: Rabies, Feline leukemia, Panleukopenia, Calicivirus

Ask your vet for a tailored vaccination schedule. 🩺

🦷 14. Dental Health

• 🦷 Bacteria from infected gums can harm the heart, liver, and kidneys
• 🪥 Brush regularly and book vet cleanings as needed

✅ Prevention = Protection

Being proactive saves lives. The best first aid is prevention—through safety, awareness, and veterinary partnership. If something seems wrong, don’t wait. 🛑

📲 Need Help Right Now?

Download the Ask A Vet app for instant access to licensed veterinary professionals like Dr Duncan Houston. Whether it's poison prevention, travel advice, or symptoms to watch for, we're just a tap away. 🐾📱