Has Your Dog Returned After Wandering Away? 4 Steps To Take Now That It's Home

If your dog has recently returned after wandering away for a while, there are some steps you'll need to take. This is particularly important if your dog looks worse for wear when it returns. You never know what your pet has been through while it's been out on the road. Here are four steps you should take to ensure the health and safety of your wayward dog.

1. Keep It Away From the Other Pets

If your dog has just come home, the first thing you need to do is quarantine it from the other pets. Your dog could have come in contact with contagious diseases that could affect your other pets. Not only that, but it could be suffering from some emotional problems from its time away from home. You don't want it to make your other pets sick, or to lash out at them. Not only that, but it's going to need some one-on-one attention from you now that it's home.

2. Check Its Body for Injuries

Depending on how long your dog has been on the street, it could have suffered some injuries. Once you have your dog safely quarantined away, be sure to inspect its body for injuries. Pay close attention to its ears, eyes, mouth, and feet. These are areas that could have hidden injuries. They're also the most prone to injuries from fights and sharp objects. If you discover wounds, be sure to wash and treat them as soon as possible.

3. Provide Food and Water in Limited Amounts

If your dog has been gone for more than a few days, it might not have been eating properly. Unfortunately, that means its stomach might not be able to handle normal-sized meals right away. To avoid gorging, provide food and water in limited amounts to start. The smaller amounts will allow you to see how your dog does with the food and water. If your dog is able to hold its food and water down, go ahead and increase the offerings.

4.Schedule a Vet Appointment

As soon as you get your dog home, you need to contact the veterinarian and schedule an appointment. You never know what your dog was subjected to while it was living on the street. Your veterinarian will be able to examine your dog and take care of any medical issues that might exist. Now's a good time to have your dog microchipped, if it isn't already protected. A microchip will help bring your dog home quicker the next time it wanders away from the yard.

For more information, contact your local animal clinic.