Taking a leisurely stroll with your dog after dark can be a great way to end your day with your furry bestie. But there are a few safety elements to consider with nighttime walks — that might not be as much of a concern when you’re out and about with your pet during the day. First and foremost, of course, it’s harder to see and be seen in the dark, says Taylor Yonkman, Animal Care Expert at the Total Pet in Cranbrook, BC. So the more you’re able to improve and maximize the visibility of your pet at night, the better, she says. “Having, say, an LED collar that lights up at night, as well as pairing that with a reflective leash, reflective collar or reflective harness is ideal — just to try and get them as bright and visible as possible.” Fortunately, there are many reflective and LED collar, leash and harness options available for pet parents to choose from, and the right one for you really just depends on personal preference, explains Yonkman. For her dogs, for example, she likes to use “hook-and-loop LED collars that can adjust to any size, and they have different colours. So I have my dogs colour coordinated so I can tell who's who when we're out and about at night.” Add reflective gear — that bounces back light from headlights, streetlights or flashlights — to your pet’s nighttime wardrobe and you’ll be in good shape for after-dark adventures, says Yonkman. Bonus: this reflective gear often comes in bright neon colours for added visibility during the day and reflective strips or stitching that shine brightly in the dark, making it easier for drivers, cyclists or other pedestrians to spot your dog.
Besides visibility, there can be some other after-dark concerns to prepare or watch out for, depending on where you live, says Yonkman. “In rural areas, specifically, a concern can be wildlife and other animals, especially if your pet is not contained. So when you're out walking, make sure that you have a good leash that's easily controllable with your pet, because there may be a risk of bear, deer, cougars or other wildlife, depending on your area.” In case of a run-in with wildlife, she recommends slowly and calmly backing away from the situation, while keeping your dog from barking at or otherwise engaging with the other animal. Having a strong, non-retractable leash is ideal in scenarios like these and will help to ensure you’re in full control of your pet, Yonkman recommends. Meanwhile, in more built-up or urban areas the concern is more likely to be traffic or other people and pets, which could be more likely to spook your dog at night than during the day, she continues. Again, a good quality leash is key in these scenarios, especially if your dog doesn’t have great recall and won’t always return when called. Finally, Yonkman says to always have the number of your vet — as well as close-by, after-hour or emergency vet clinics — handy. Just in case an unfortunate incident occurs and your pet does end up with an injury, you can call ahead to tell them you’re on your way and get immediate medical advice.
Less hide, more seek: Tracking options to keep tabs on your pets
Advice from an Animal Care Expert on key tracking options — such as microchipping and gps — that are available to help pet parents locate a lost or runaway pet.
