UK pet owners need to stay alert when walking dogs in the countryside, vets warn, as they detail dangers that threaten the safety of pets.
With Bank Holiday Monday marking a popular time for walks, pet-sitting platform TrustedHousesitters worked with veterinary surgeon Dr Lily Richards (BSc Hons BVs MRCVS) to share hazards that all dog owners should be aware of.
“Giving your pup a chance to explore new paths and experience new scent trails, sceneries, and different terrain is great for their active minds,” said Richards. “Knowing the risks of your area can help keep your dog safe from possible illness or toxicities, which could be life-threatening in the worst-case scenario.”
Richards highlights five common hiking hazards for pets:
Mud
While rolling in the mud seems like a harmless activity, mud on hiking trails can harbour harmful bacteria and parasites, such as leptospirosis, giardia, and other pathogens that can cause illness in dogs.
“After your walk, remember to wash off any mud for disease prevention and also check for ticks to prevent tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, and rocky mountain fever,” said Richards.
Standing water
Dogs naturally want to hydrate during walks, often turning to natural sources. However, Richards warns that still, standing water poses many risks and is a breeding ground for diseases that can be transmitted to your pet, such as blue-green algae, leptospirosis, schistosomiasis, giardia, cryptosporidium, E. coli, and liver fluke.
The bacteria in puddles can be deadly for your dog when ingested, even if your dog’s vaccines are up to date, so keep an eye on your pup around water, and ensure you have drinking water and a bowl to hand if they are thirsty.
Leafy litter
In the UK, Adders are the only venomous snake found in the wild. Adders mostly live in moors, woodlands and hillsides and can become camouflaged by leafy litter, so owners should take extra caution in these areas. If you suspect your pet has been bitten, keep them as calm and still as possible and contact a vet immediately.
Ticks, fleas, slugs, snails
Spring and summer are the prime seasons for ticks and fleas, which can transmit serious diseases to your pets. Apply a veterinarian-approved tick and flea preventative treatment before hiking, keeping regular vet-approved, at-home treatments up to date and always check your dog thoroughly for ticks after each walk.
“Keep an eye out for slugs and snails too,” Richards said. “These creatures can carry parasites and infectious diseases, such as lungworm, that can cause serious disease in your pets.”
Poisonous plants
“Different plants cause different symptoms from nausea and vomiting to kidney failure, liver failure, coma and even death, so knowing what to look out for is critical when out and about,” said Richards.
According to Richards, popular plants you might come across on walks that are toxic for dogs include lily species, hemlock, hydrangea, yew, crocus, ivy, daffodil, foxgloves, rhododendrons, azalea, tulips, bluebells, elderberry, and some mushrooms.
When looking for a dog-friendly walking trail, Richards recommends: “A good walking trail has lots of opportunities to rest out of the heat and in the shade, as well as wide paths, no steep cliffs, and soft surfaces to prevent paw injuries,” said Richards. “Paths should be open so you can spot any risk of predators and see any dangers early and negate them without lots of leaf litter and boggy mud.”
