Preventing suffocation: Protecting our furry friends from hidden dangers
As animal parents, we do everything we can to keep our furry companions safe, but one often-overlooked danger lurks right in our own homes—food packaging. Many of us are unaware that items like chip bags, cereal bags, and other food packaging pose a serious suffocation risk to dogs and cats.
How does suffocation happen?
Animals are naturally drawn to the scent of food. When they stick their head inside a snack bag, their breath creates a vacuum, making it nearly impossible to remove the bag on their own. Within minutes, they can lose consciousness due to a lack of oxygen. This silent and sudden danger has claimed the lives of many beloved animals, but awareness and prevention can save lives.
Common household dangers
Many everyday food packages can become suffocation hazards, including:
- Chip and snack bags
- Cereal and bread bags
- Pet food bags
- Plastic containers with tight lids
- Yogurt cups and other small plastic containers
Steps to prevent suffocation
Fortunately, simple changes can make a big difference in preventing these tragedies. Here’s how you can help keep your furry friends safe:
- Store food bags securely: Keep snack bags and food packaging out of reach, such as in sealed cabinets or containers.
- Cut up or dispose of bags properly: Before discarding snack bags, cut them open to eliminate the risk of suffocation.
- Be mindful: When eating snacks, never leave food packaging unattended.
- Spread the word: Share this information with friends and family to help prevent animal suffocation.
What to do in an emergency
If you find an animal struggling with a bag over its head, act quickly:
- Remove the bag immediately.
- If the animal is unresponsive, perform CPR if you are trained.
- Seek emergency veterinary care right away.
By staying informed and taking preventive measures, we can work together to keep the animals safe from this silent but deadly threat. Let’s spread awareness and help protect our beloved companions!
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.