You may think your best friend likes outdoor festivals as much as you do. In reality, these events are potentially hazardous to your dog, you, other festival-goers, and their dogs. Large events raise a dog’s stress level and can make it unhappy and more likely to act in ways that can be unpleasant to others (while you’re relaxing).
1. NOISE
Your dog’s hearing is perhaps 10 times more sensitive than yours. Even if you aren’t right in front of a live stage speaker, overall volume level, sound reverberation and sheer quantity of constant noise coming from all directions is potentially damaging to your dog’s sensitive hearing. Guitar shredding can shred your dog’s hearing.
2. HEAT AND FATIGUE
When was the last time you went to a summer concert in a fur coat? Even when water and shade are available, heat can quickly dehydrate dogs and cause life-threatening heat stroke. Taking a long walk around the neighborhood is one thing. Walking for hours on hot pavement or even grass is exhausting for a dog.
3. CROWDS
Being in a crowd makes a dog confused or anxious, so even the best-behaved dogs stress out in crowds. Aside from crowded conditions and sensory overload, a lot is going on at knee level that you may not see, such as a toddler reaching to pet the dog’s face. “But my dog would never bite” may be true in ordinary situations, but a crowded event creates unpredictable conditions and serious risks.
4. BITING
All dog bites are required by law to be reported to the authorities. If your dog bites someone at ComFest and it does not have a current rabies vaccination tag and papers, it must be quarantined (confined) and observed for 10 days, even if it is a healthy dog. Also, there is little to stop your dog from catching a disease from another dog at ComFest. Be sure your dog is up to date on all of its vaccinations, especially rabies.
5. FOOD DANGERS.
The ground is one big chow bowl to a dog. Peppery foods, sugary foods, and onions are just part of the buffet only a few inches away from that big wet nose. Your dog could develop pancreatitis. Often a direct result of such “dietary indiscretions,” it can range from milder symptoms demanding care by a vet to severe and life-threatening problems requiring hospitalization, possible surgery, and hundreds of dollars of expense (your guilt aside).
6. GETTING LOST.
Lost pets risk never being returned to their owners or, worse, being hit by a car. Be sure your dog is wearing some form of identification at all times.
Why would you bring your dog here? Taking your dog to any large outdoor event is an ego trip at your dog’s expense. The only benefit to your dog is that Fido doesn’t have to pick up your poop. Do your best friend a big favor: don’t take your dog to ComFest or other crowded public events.
– Paul Volker,
with Dr. Theresa Burke, DVM, Creature Comforts Animal Clinic
