How Often Do Pets Cause Trip-and-Fall Injuries?
By K9Reproduction Editorial Team Updated July 17, 2024
Pets bring joy to people’s lives and positively impact your health and well-being. However, they can also unintentionally cause trip-and-fall injuries, even resulting in visits to the emergency room.
Pet-related fall injuries occur more often than you might think. Being aware of the hazards and taking steps to prevent trips and falls can help you avoid emergency situations.
How Common Are Fall Injuries Caused by Pets? How Often Do Pets Cause Trip-and-Fall Injuries?
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control revealed that pet-related fall injuries happen with relative frequency. An estimated 86,629 fall injuries associated with cats and dogs occurred in the United States each year from 2001 to 2006. Of these, seven and a half times as many injuries were caused by dogs in comparison to cats.
The most common injuries reported were fractures, bruises, and abrasions, most of these occurring in the extremities. According to the CDC study, while injury rates were the highest for people over 75 years old, pets were fall hazards for people of all ages.
Jenn Fiendish, a veterinary behavior technician who runs Happy Power Behavior and Training in Portland, Oregon, says it’s not uncommon for pet parents to sustain an injury from falling or tripping over a dog. “This is often due to behaviors such as lunging at other animals, jumping onto or trying to get past an owner, and forceful pulling on the leash,” she says.
Fall Injuries Within Your Home
Fall injuries can happen anywhere, even at home. You might be at the stove cooking, for example, and your pup may be right behind you, waiting for food to drop, says Melissa Winkle, an occupational therapist and president of Dogwood Therapy Services in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who works with people with disabilities. “And [they] stay so close that when you turn around, you trip.”
Or you might come home to an excited dog who has been left alone all day. Arms full of groceries, if your dog jumps up excitedly and runs around your legs, you can easily trip. Winkle further cautions pet parents about the hazards of a jumping dog. “Typically we see people get new pups or smaller adult dogs, and families allow the puppy to jump ... Then the pup grows up knowing that this behavior will be rewarded,” says Winkle.
In this case, the bigger issue is a lack of proper training that can cause a fall injury.
How Fall Injuries Can Happen Outdoors
Retractable leashes are another common cause for fall injuries, according to Winkle. “People give their dogs 8 feet of leash, and the dog sees something or hears something and gets a running start, giving them mechanical advantage, and pulls the person over,” says Winkle.
Dogs can also change directions abruptly or get caught up in their leash while using a retractable dog leash. “I have seen both dogs and people get serious injuries from these kinds of leashes,” says Winkle. Winkle suggests using a fixed-length 4-6 foot dog leash and being aware of your environment so you can predict if your dog will take off.
Dog parks are prime spots for both dog and human fall injuries, says Winkle. “People get to talking on the phone or to other pet parents and forget to watch their dogs,” says Winkle. Dogs tend to pay more attention to each other while playing, so it’s not unusual for them to run full-tilt into an unsuspecting bystander. “Supervision is the key,” she adds.
Obedience Training to Prevent Fall Injuries
The CDC report says that obedience training is an important factor in reducing falls. Walking your dog on a loose leash and teaching her to stay to one side of you (aka heeling) are two training skills that can reduce the risk of tripping over a dog, explains Fiendish. “For animals with more severe behavioral issues like leash reactivity or fear aggression, one must work with a qualified behaviorist or trainer so that the root problem is addressed along with behavior modification and training,” she adds.
The same training can also apply to cats and smaller dogs, she says. (Although most injuries are caused by dogs, tripping over a cat is also a real risk.) “In addition to training, the use of a collar bell is also helpful, as it gives an owner the ability to hear the pet and thus alerts them to their presence.”
Tips for Preventing Trip-and-Fall Injuries
Use Proper Leashes: Opt for fixed-length leashes instead of retractable ones to maintain better control over your dog.
Train Your Pet: Basic obedience training can prevent sudden movements that might cause you to trip.
Create Safe Spaces: Use pet gates to keep pets out of high-traffic areas in your home.
Stay Aware: Always be mindful of your pet’s location, especially when carrying items or moving quickly.
Proper Footwear: Wear shoes that provide good traction to prevent slipping on smooth surfaces.
FAQs
Q: Are trip-and-fall injuries caused by pets common? A: Yes, they are relatively common. An estimated 86,629 fall injuries related to pets occur annually in the United States.
Q: How can I prevent my dog from causing fall injuries? A: Proper training, using the right type of leash, and being aware of your pet's movements can help prevent fall injuries.
Q: Are certain pets more likely to cause fall injuries? A: While any pet can cause a fall injury, dogs are more commonly associated with such injuries compared to cats.
Real-World Perspective
Veterinary behaviorists and trainers emphasize the importance of training and awareness to prevent trip-and-fall injuries caused by pets. By understanding pet behavior and implementing preventive measures, pet owners can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
For more information on pet care and safety tips, visit K9Reproduction.com.
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