A dog owner issued a serious warning about the dangers of a dog's collar when left on and unattended.
In a January 22 TikTok video, user @finneasandmilo came inside after a walk with her dog. Within seconds, the dog started rubbing up against the couch attempting to take off his fleece. That's when the collar got snagged.
Her poor pup was not able to move. He was stuck. Fortunately, she was there to set him free, but this serves as a cautious reminder to all dog owners about the dangers of leaving a collar on inside or unsupervised.
The caption reads: "This wasn't causing him any distress or danger, but a reminder that dogs can get caught on anything in seconds."
Dr. Nick Horniman MRCVS, veterinary surgeon and founder of online pet pharmacy My Pets Vet, told Newsweek via email that leaving a dog collar on while inside might seem like a harmless practice. In fact, many pet parents do not think twice about it, but the dangers associated are not worth the risk.
"A major risk with keeping a dog's collar on inside is an accident that could occur where your dog snags their collar on objects around the house such as furniture handles or door handles," said Dr. Horniman. "This can lead to a tragic situation where the dog, in panic, may tighten the collar around its neck, leading to suffocation or serious neck injuries."
He went on to say that these incidents are not extremely common, but they do happen. PetSmart, a pet supply company, reported about 26,000 collar strangulation accidents happen yearly in homes and establishments across the country. Common hazards for this to happen include crates, kennels, fences, heating or cooling vents, shrubs, branches, and dogs playing with other dogs.
Keeping a collar on your dog does not automatically mean they'll get caught. Dr. Horniman added that it can also sometimes cause skin irritation.
"Collars, especially if not properly fitted, can rub against the dog's skin, causing irritation, hair loss, and even wounds in severe cases," he said. "Dogs with sensitive skin are particularly susceptible to these issues. Continuous collar wear can also lead to matting in long-haired breeds, which can be painful and difficult to manage."
There is a fine line owners should still consider with collars, as they provide a convenient place to attach ID tags and leashes. Alternatives include breakaway collars; however, those should not be relied upon as a means of restraint. Body harnesses are another excellent option. Plus, collars can still be used but removed while playing and if not under supervision.
The video quickly attracted viewers, reaching over 1.4 million views and 73,500 likes as of Friday.
One viewer said: "Since our boy is chipped, I always treat the collar like a bra. Once we're in the house it's GONE."
"From experience, please I beg all of you. It's not worth it," commented another.
Newsweek reached out to @finneasandmilo via TikTok for additional comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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