Caissie Canine Instruction: Why Balloons are Dangerous for your K9

We begin this week with some K9 FUN FACTS: Did you know?

1.    Petting a dog for 10-15 minutes can lower blood pressure by 10%. It can also help lower feelings of stress, depression, and combat loneliness.

2.    Some K9’s have such good noses they can sniff out medical problems. i.e. seizures, cancer and insulin levels.

3.    Dogs learn human behaviour and can read our ‘body language”. For example: “are you getting your shoes on?” or “are you getting a treat out of the cupboard?” dogs are always waiting for the next step.

Welcome to Doggie Dialogue:

When there are family functions, birthday parties, baby showers, or any celebration with balloons, please remember that balloons that deflate or pop can pose several dangers to your dog.

When balloons “pop”, dogs maybe tempted to chew and swallow small pieces.

These balloon pieces can cause choking, difficulty breathing and potential intestinal blockages, if ingested.

A common misconception is some balloons are bio gradable, however these balloons still take a year or more to break down. Many balloons are typically made of latex or foil, which are not bio gradable.

If your K9 ingests the broken balloon pieces, they will not be digested and can contribute to blockages or digestive problems.

If you suspect your K9 ingested pieces of a balloon, please contact your vet immediately.

Monitor your K9 for signs of gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, or straining) in the meantime.

Balloons can also be dangerous for all wildlife. Helium balloons, especially Mylar balloons, can travel a long-way, kilometres even.

Shing balloons can attract dogs and cats, as they think it is a new toy or ball. Balloons, especially Mylar, can resemble a “food source”, such as fruits, berries, or bright flowers that can fool wildlife as well.

We recommend enjoying your celebrations as much as possible, however consider keeping the balloons indoor and never release them outdoors.