Pets Lead To Thousands of Fall Injuries Each Year

March 2009

Most studies focus on the positive health benefits associated with owning a pet like lower stress levels and lower blood pressure. A recent study has uncovered a more dangerous side of pet ownership, however – more than 86,000 fall injuries are caused by pets each year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that almost 88 percent of the injuries were caused by dogs and 11.7 percent were caused by cats. Most of the falls occurred while people were walking their dog or chasing their dog or cat. The CDC estimates that 9 percent of the falls were related to tripping over items like toys and food dishes.

To avoid pet-related falls, veterinary and medical experts suggest the following:

• Put animals in a separate area when you are carrying heavy things into your house.
• Keep hallways and stairs clutter-free.
• Use nightlights if you get up frequently at night to avoid stepping on your pet in the dark.
• Invest in dog obedience training that can help control behaviors that lead to falls.