{"id":19468,"date":"2023-07-05T10:51:38","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T14:51:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/?p=19468"},"modified":"2023-10-17T05:10:27","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T09:10:27","slug":"the-dangers-of-fabric-dog-muzzles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/the-dangers-of-fabric-dog-muzzles\/","title":{"rendered":"The dangers of fabric dog muzzles: Why safety and comfort should be a priority"},"content":{"rendered":"

A recent study conducted by the Baskerville\u2122<\/a> team revealed that 66% dog muzzle users use their muzzle as a tool during potentially stressful situations such as vet or groomer visits to ensure safety of both dog and human. They can be crucial elements in a strategy to manage aggressive behaviour or preventing dogs from biting in situations of uncertainty. However, when it comes to choosing a muzzle for your dog, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers associated with certain types of muzzles. In particular, fabric dog muzzles which, although popular, pose significant risks to the well-being of your dog. This article aims to shed light on the hazards of fabric dog muzzles and emphasize the importance of prioritizing your pet\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n

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    Restricted Breathing and Overheating:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    One of the main drawbacks to fabric dog muzzles is restriction of a dog’s breathing. In order to prevent biting, fabric muzzles have to be snug fitting which will, inevitably restrict airflow. This can lead to respiratory difficulties, especially for brachycephalic breeds (dogs with short noses and flat faces) that already have compromised breathing. Prolonged use of a fabric muzzle in warm weather will also result in overheating, which can be life-threatening for dogs, as they rely on panting to regulate their body temperature. There are 3 patterns of panting that occur as the demand for respiratory evaporation increases:<\/p>\n

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    • (i), inhalation and exhalation through nose.<\/li>\n
    • (ii), inhalation through nose, exhalation through nose and mouth.<\/li>\n
    • (iii), inhalation through nose and mouth, exhalation through nose and mouth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Pattern (i) is observed in resting dogs or low temperatures. Patterns (ii) and (iii) are observed as soon as temperatures are increased, during normal exercise or if the dog is feeling stress or anxiety. Patterns (ii) and (iii) rarely occur independently for long periods of time. Instead, there is usually a continual oscillation between the two. The proportion of the time that the dog uses pattern (iii) instead of pattern (ii) increases as temperature, exercise, or stressors increase.<\/p>\n

      By design, fabric muzzles only allow pattern (i) thus ruling out every kind of exercise, temperature fluctuations or stress levels for the dog lest their health and welfare be at risk. A normal body temperature for a dog is between 38.3\u00b0C and 39.2\u00b0C but an increase in any of the aforementioned factors can cause major distress and in some cases death, if worn for a long time. Veterinarians may use fabric muzzles but only in very specific cases and never for extended periods.<\/p>\n

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        Limited Ability to Hydrate:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        A fabric muzzle, especially if ill-fitting or improperly designed, can hinder a dog’s ability to drink effectively. Restricting a dog’s access to water, making it challenging for them to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to various health issues, including heatstroke, which can be fatal. It is crucial to prioritize your dog’s comfort and well-being by choosing a muzzle that allows drinking water.<\/p>\n

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          Chafing, Skin Irritation, and Discomfort:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Fabric muzzles, if not properly fitted or padded, can cause chafing and skin irritation. The rough texture of the material rubbing against a dog’s face will lead to discomfort and even painful sores. Dogs have sensitive skin, and prolonged use of a fabric muzzle without sufficient padding can result in significant discomfort. It is essential to regularly inspect the muzzle and ensure it fits properly, avoiding any potential damage or discomfort to your furry friend.<\/p>\n

          Conclusion:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          While dog muzzles can be an essential tool for managing canine behaviour and ensuring safety of both humans and dogs, it is crucial to prioritize your pet’s well-being when selecting one and recognizing your duty as a customer to stamp out the selling of fabric muzzles. Fabric dog muzzles, despite their popularity, come with several dangers that can compromise a dog’s health and safety. As customers, we have the power to influence the market and by choosing not to support the sale and prolonged use of these inhumane muzzles, you can contribute to the welfare of countless dogs.<\/p>\n

          By prioritizing the welfare of our canine companions and refusing to support the sale and use of fabric muzzles, we can make a significant impact in stamping out these cruel products. Let us unite in our efforts to create a safer and more compassionate world for our dogs. Together, we can ensure a happy and healthy companionship that reflects our shared responsibility to protect and care for all animals and veterinary professionals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          A recent study conducted by the Baskerville\u2122 team revealed that 66% dog muzzle users use their muzzle as a tool during potentially stressful situations such as vet or groomer visits to ensure safety of both dog and human. They can be crucial elements in a strategy to manage aggressive behaviour or preventing dogs from biting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":19487,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19468"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19468"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19473,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19468\/revisions\/19473"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}