http://www.care2.com/greenliving/prevent-pet-injuries-in-the-home.html
Prevent Pet Injuries in the Home
By Mitchel R. Martin, The Bark
Imagine living in a world of giants, where nearly every object is colossal and the local terrain is treacherous. Furniture towers eight feet high. Staircase “mountains” are intimidating, with each step equal to your full height. Jumping on and off the enormous furniture and scaling staircases make for a tough day.
This is your home from the viewpoint of your small-breed dog.
Obstacles and Injuries
All small dogs love to jump down from beds and couches, but did you know that the impact of such a leap on a little dog is equivalent to that a human would face when jumping from the roof of a one-story house? Small-breed dogs jump frequently: They leap on and off furniture approximately 30 to 40 times a day, amounting to 25,000 jumps up and down in a single year. Over a typical 12-year life span, the count is staggering, equaling more than 300,000 jumps. Additionally, these numbers do not account for bounding in and out of the car, lap dives, and the occasional “banzai” leap from the back of the couch!
Stairs are an added hazard for small dogs, increasing not only the risk of falling, but also the potential for premature joint wear caused by the impact of scaling stairs. The average house-step’s riser is approximately eight inches–roughly equal to a toy breed’s standing height–and a typical home contains 12 to 18 steps between floors. Most dogs make an average 12 trips up and down the stairs each day, so your dog climbs as many as 360 steps per day, totaling more than 131,000 steps in a year and 1.5 million in a lifetime!
It is important to understand the harmful effects that furniture jumping and stair climbing have on your dog. Because dogs are quadrupeds, the force of landing ripples through their bodies in a sequence of powerful shocks. When a dog’s front feet land on a surface, the impact of her body weight is absorbed first through the forelimbs and then by her back. The hind limbs land next, absorbing the impact of the hindquarter weight and sending a final jolt to her back.
Small-breed dogs are especially prone to injuries caused by their furniture jumps. Some of the risks of that jumping include broken toenails; sprains to the legs and wrists (carpus), pad and shoulder (biceps tendonitis, lesions of the humeral head); and elbow trauma. Serious injuries, such as a subluxing patella (slipping kneecap) and necrosis (cell and tissue degeneration) of the femoral head, also can be caused by a dog standing or hopping on its hind legs. According to Deborah Gross-Saunders, of the Wizard of Paws Rehabilitation for Animals, chondrodystrophic dogs (those with long backs and short legs) risk rupturing a disk by jumping. Ms. Gross-Saunders estimates that at least half of the patients she sees for post-back surgery therapy had been injured by jumping. When treating small-breed dogs in the high-risk category, she recommends that owners eliminate jumping from the dogs’ lives–in other words, no more furniture jumps.
Solutions
Preventing your dog from using stairs is next to impossible; however certain behaviors can be modified, minimizing the impact of stair use on your dog’s body. When running down the staircase, small dogs often disregard the last two or three steps. Training your dog to pause at the bottom of the staircase and sit before navigating the last step can help prevent injury and premature joint wear.
To reduce furniture jumping, training your small dog to stay off the furniture is the obvious solution: no jumping, problem solved! But, as owners of small-breed dogs know, this is easier said than done. A simple and effective way to make their home more dog-friendly is to place pet ramps and steps next to their furniture.
Veterinarians and animal rehabilitation specialists suggest the use of ramps and steps to reduce the amount of jumping in the home. Ms. Gross-Saunders also recommends them for dogs recovering from surgery for back, knee and leg injuries, who absolutely must not jump on or off any furniture. If your dog was accustomed to furniture-jumping prior to the injury, adding a ramp or step is the only solution. Pet ramps also help dogs who suffer from arthritic pain (no matter their size)–it is estimated that one in five dogs in the United States have osteoarthritis so severe that it’s almost impossible for them to get onto your sofa or bed. A simple ramp can reduce pain and give your aging or handicapped dog a new lease on life.
Dogs too small to get up or down from furniture unaided–and even uncoordinated puppies–will adapt to a new ramp in minutes. For the Yorkies in our family, pet ramps have worked best, completely eliminating jumping on and off beds and couches. Ramps also provide a “puppy playground” in the house, a source of never-ending daily entertainment. Our dogs have loads of fun romping on their ramps, and even rolling balls and other toys down them–their own game of “doggy fetch.”
Pet steps are also great. Typically less expensive than ramps, they are usually more compact and fit into smaller areas. Steps often have storage compartments, which help corral toys and other odds and ends, and some are available with wheels to assist moving them from one place to another. There are also special units made with “mini” steps to accommodate even the tiniest of breeds.
So which option is best for your small-breed dog: ramps or steps? Both are built with your pet in mind, and designed to help your small dog safely navigate furniture. Countless models are available in different shapes, styles, and colors. Ramps and stairs are constructed from a wide range of materials ranging from lightweight high-density foam, plastic and PVC tubing to plywood and hardwood. Many models are available with attractive, removable and replaceable waterproof and designer fabric coverings. Beautifully finished hardwood and carpeted models compliment any home decor.
Puppy furniture costs vary. A single carpeted step starts at about $35, while a more elaborate set of premium hardwood steps costs as much as $250. Pet ramps prices are slightly higher, ranging from about $75 to $300. If you’re even minimally handy with tools, you can construct a simple–or elaborate, if your skills allow–ramp or set of steps yourself for the cost of the materials.
Whatever option you choose, it is important to provide your dog with both a safe alternative to jumping and assistance in navigating your “home obstacle course.” Simple pet-friendly furniture-helper units will reduce home injuries, making dogs’ lives happier, healthier, and safer–and give you more years to enjoy their company.
The Bark is the award-winning magazine of modern dog culture—it speaks to the committed dog enthusiast—and is the indispensable guide to life with dogs, showing readers how to live smartly and rewardingly with their canine companions. Bark is the recognized expert on the social/cultural world of dogs in America, and what they mean to us. Click here for your FREE issue.
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26 comments
add your comment »Please friends, consider the simple plug in bug deterrents. They work wonders and cause no harm to dogs or cats. They do, however, harm any rodent type pet. No bug spray needed ever, with these, other than perhaps the occassional hornet (or similar) that enters.
Also, when thinking of pointy things that can cause harm, remember to keep the toothpicks and similar items safely away from your pets.
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interesting..
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sorry ADAM for mis- spelling your name! uuugggg
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Adem, the gentle leader easy walk harness is what I use on my very powerful and alfa male Labrador. As I am not a very strong person and tackle physical disabilities that include walking problems, I found that this harness allows complete control over my overly active "big lug nut" and not only do I have complete control over his aggressiveness, but I can enjoy a good walk and run with this brute... without his being uncomfortable. The under arm cushions don't cause any pain to him and he can explore, while I keep his over ambitiousness under control! I love the gentle harness. I finally found the right lead for my beloved "big lug"! Thank you for mentioning this harness...as I think it would help anyone out there that has had to tackle a very active animal, and allow that lovely to have fun at the same time!
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The Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness is a front clip harness designed to gently discourage your dog from pulling while walking on a leash without causing coughing, gagging, or choking.
r4i
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One small detail, the large breed puppy, Boxer, with the broken leg is adorable. They are curious, energetic, smart and clumsy... definately need house proofing. But it seems misleading to put it's picture on a toy breed article. Other than that, I tought the article was great.
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It's so sad, seeing that picture of the puppy with a broken leg. Pet owners need to child-proof their homes to prevent their pets from injuries.
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Re: ramps... what an absolutely brilliant and easy to adopt idea! I have a border collie who is now 10 years old. He has had slight HD syndrome ever since he was born, but doesn't seem to mind. We lived in a house with a big garden until he was 7, then we had to move and now live in a large flat - unfortunately for him on the third (American fourth) floor! I have been worrying what will happen when he gets older and won't be able to climb the seven flights of stairs any more - but ramps would certainly solve that problem. You could even use one or two portable ramps (made of simple plywood) which could be carried up and down depending where the dog needs them. Definitely a lot easier than carrying 24 kgs of border collie up and down the stairs!!! Thanks for a brilliant idea!
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Patti, isn't the hardest thing, when we have to decide what is most humane for our best? I had the saddest times having to weigh out what was best and what was needed, when it came to deciding my best, most beloved of animals....those that decided to share my life with me. They ultimately chose to trust me in their final day(s). I have had the pleasure and honor of sending many furry critters out, to new homes. I have also had to see so many die. All any of us, who care deep down, can do, is do what we can. I guess that's why I stand tall and committed to my own feelings regarding the dedication, the personal commitment, and the ultimate voice, when it comes to all of us that realize how important it is to respect and follow the way nature demands respect. I only post this because you and others might and do understand.
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Patti, I cry for you. I held this cat in my arms as well. She died, breathing her last desperate gasp of air. It makes me soooo mad that there are those out there that don't consider our beloved pets as part of our lives. As anyone would if they were children. My heart and deep sadness goes over to you. I know how horrible it was to hold this cat's life in my arms for the last time, and I hadn't bonded to this beautiful creature, as her own owners had. I can only cry more, over what you have gone through. This was your beloved baby. You have the memories now of who your beautiful cat was. It is so inhumane, so insensitive to have these "bug sprayers" disregard our babies. As I said, I held this beautiful cat on her last breath..she wasn't part of life with me, previously. Her long, hard death only shows me that we need to ask questions. We need to demand information. We have to take on whole other perspectives, regarding how we trust companies, like bug exterminators. I tend to get angry over how these types of companies disregard what they do, towards all that love animals. There are ways to get rid of nasty bugs..but do those companies bother to change their ways to get rid of bugs for the sake of our pets? noooooo. Many prefer to go on the high end idea that they will shlosh chemicals on households...then lie to protect their company's reputation by feeding the rest of us, useless information, regarding what the heck they are using, as bug spray. I guess I am reacting at a
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