• Never self-medicate the dog with medicines meant for humans. Always check with your veterinarian.

• Anti-tick medications like Ridd need to be used with care. Follow the dosage prescribed – that’s a golden rule. And follow the instructions on the pack. The same goes for applications like Frontline and Spot-On.

If you feel your dog has been poisoned, call up your vet immediately or take your dog across to the vet. Don’t leave it untreated and don’t try self-treatment. It could be a matter of life and death. Remember, dogs are like little children. You need to keep an eye out and ensure that they don’t swallow stuff that is harmful. And all potentially harmful stuff should be kept away from them.