Antifreeze can be deadly. It is a poison. - At this time of year, as parts of the planet prepare for winter, an annual precaution is to check for sources of antifreeze to which your dog may have access. Not only look at where the antifreeze is stored but also look at areas where parked vehicles might leak antifreeze onto the ground. Your dog’s curiosity here can become a source of disaster.

The horrid thing is that antifreeze has a sweet taste to it. (No, don’t try it to verify this.) You must be aware how attractive the antifreeze is to your dog and note any curiosity that your dog may have on the streets and roadways.

There are now some types of antifreeze that state that it is made with propylene glycol and is environmentally friendly. Some containers say that it is not harmful if swallowed in small amounts. Of course, there is no definition of what ‘a small amount’ is. The best course of action still appears to be awareness and a fair degree of caution - and having the dog know what the command of ‘leave it’ means.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]dogs, security, antifreeze, poison, taste[/tags]