Dog owners contemplating swapping their fluffy friends’ old collars and leashes must carefully assess the pains and gains of making such a switch. Educating themselves about the health implications for their pet doggies helps in many ways before making a final call.
While a good deal of fashionable harnesses are available in the market, the question that lies deep down is how comfortable these products are for fur babies? To ensure their safety, it would be best if pet parents bought an item only after first examining the pros and cons mindfully.
The convenience and safety of using a harness supersedes any current fads when making pet lifestyle choices; we must ensure our furry animals are not put in endangering health situations or suffer injuries. Pet insurance for dogs provides relief in difficult times of health and on other days too. Pet insurance supports all kinds of non-routine vet visit costs, diagnosis, radiology, hospitalization, surgery, and much more, relieving pet owners of significant financial burden.
In this article, we reflect on common perils associated with the usage of dog harnesses and how to choose the perfect one for your pooch!
Potential dangers of using a harness
An ill-fitting harness may cause chest injury over time if your dog vigorously pulls the leash. Eventually, it may do more harm than good. Selecting an appropriate harness for your dog’s breed, size and activity levels is essential, along with proper consideration given to the harness type.
- Front clip harnesses may adversely affect small dogs and short-nosed pets as they raise pressure on the pet’s throat when the leash is pulled. One common issue with front clip harnesses is they affect the dog’s gait and impede shoulder movement. This is a major detrimental factor if your dog is sporty and highly active.
- A back clip is safer if your fur baby suffers from a collapsed windpipe or other tracheal disorders. Consult your vet to seek guidance about suitable products in times of confusion, especially if your dog has health problems that the harness may exacerbate.
- Head halter harnesses create much discomfort for dogs because of their very structure. Your dog may not be too happy to have it around the neck and may exhibit signs like pawing the nose, rolling on the floor, or rubbing the face on your leg and may even injure itself.
- It also isn’t a great idea to leave the harness on your dog all the time. If the harness accidentally gets stuck on any objects in the vicinity, it may cause a choking hazard leading to a pet emergency.
- A harness soaked in water (for instance, when your dog plays in a puddle or gets wet in the rain) potentially causes skin infections or rashes on your dog’s body. Also, prolonged use of the damp harness may cause skin irritation due to rubbing against the chest/armpits.
How to choose the right one?
A perfect fit isn’t too loose or tight or restricts movement. As you remove the harness, there must not be any visible outlines of the harness on your pet dog’s furry body. The best way to test the fit is by introducing two fingers in the gap between your dog’s body and the harness hugging it.
In the case of a harness for a pet puppy, constant checking is required to verify if your growing pup hasn’t outgrown the pet accessory.
In short, the type of harness chosen must not inflict physical trauma but help you train your pet. Your doggo needs to welcome your decision to add a new accessory to the pet closet. Having pet insurance for dogs is essential to keep your furry friend’s health guarded at all times because it allows you to focus on getting treatment for them rather than worrying about the cost. Pet insurance can be your chance at availing quality medical assistance for your pet.
