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Why do vets not recommend retractable leashes?

Mariano Casper
Mariano Casper
2025-06-01 11:14:33
Count answers: 4
Retractable leashes can damage your pet’s neck and throat. When your pet gets to the end of the leash, it can snap your pet’s neck back causing damage to their trachea and neck vertebrae. We treat many animals for neck and back injuries which can be very painful and have long-lasting effects. An injured trachea can cause a cough that can also affect breathing if severe enough. Even when keeping the length short on a retractable leash, injury can still occur. Retractable leashes cause dog fights. Retractable leashes allow your pet to travel a great distance away from you, and dangerous situations can occur in the blink of an eye. Retractable leashes are dangerous to you and to others. The cord on a retractable leash is very narrow and can easily get wrapped around fingers or legs causing minor issues such as rope burn and skin lacerations. Major injuries such as amputation of a digit can also occur.
Nils Ferry
Nils Ferry
2025-06-01 10:39:36
Count answers: 1
They Can Lead To Injuries The line cannot be retracted when there’s tension. If something happens, like if your dog lunges into the street, and you must pull your dog back, you may have no choice but to grab the leash with your bare hands. But, because it’s so thin, the line is difficult to secure, and it can slide through your hands and easily cause a burn or cut on your hand. If you lock the leash as the dog is running, it can cause an abrupt stop. They Can Malfunction or Break A button, a torsion spring, and a plastic spool are the only things between your dog and dangerous situations. With a retractable leash, there’s a risk that the internal mechanism could jam or break, allowing the leash to become detached. They Can Get Tangled Slack and tension must be actively managed when using a retractable leash, and the line can easily become tangled. They’re Hard To See These lines are difficult to see because they are thin and dark. They Are Easily Dropped The design of the retractable leash’s handle can also be problematic. They’re Not a Good Fit for Frightened Dogs Fearful dogs are especially at risk. They Can Reinforce Pulling When dogs are walked on retractable leashes, the tendency is to release more of the line when the dog starts to pull forward.