Pets, especially puppies and kittens, are curious. That means they can get themselves into some dangerous situations. Here are tips to keep your four-legged friend safe.
Put Hazardous Chemicals out of Reach
Go through your house and put away any cleaning products, cosmetics, toiletries, laundry supplies, medications, and chemicals you use to care for your lawn or car. Store them in closets or cabinets and install childproof locks, if necessary, to keep your pet out.
Protect Your Pet from Dangerous Foods and Plants
Don’t leave food sitting on a table or counter. It may be tempting to an inquisitive pet, and common human foods can be toxic to animals.
Some types of house plants can be dangerous to pets. In addition, an animal may knock over potted plants. That can create both a mess and a safety hazard. Place plants out of reach to prevent accidents.
Keep Your Pet out of Dangerous Nooks and Crannies
Animals often seek out tight spaces for security and warmth. A washer or dryer, a vent, and the area under the hood of a car may be appealing to an animal, but they can also be dangerous. Keep appliance doors closed and block off other spaces where a pet could get into trouble or, better yet, block off the entire room or garage.
Protect Your Pet from Appliances
Dangling wires may seem like fun, especially to a kitten, but they can be dangerous. A pet can get electrocuted if it chews on a cord that is plugged in, or it may pull down the object attached to a wire and get hurt. Put cords out of reach or tie them so they don’t dangle.
Prevent Water-Related Accidents
If a pet drinks water from a toilet, it may consume toxic cleaning chemicals. An animal may also drown in a small amount of water. Close the toilet lid and don’t leave standing water in the sink or bathtub.
Protect Your Pet from Other Dangers
Small objects, such as children’s toys, puzzle pieces, and buttons, can seem like fun to a dog or cat, but they are choking hazards. Clean up carefully to keep your pet safe.
Don’t leave a knife on the counter unattended while preparing a meal. You can use a baby gate can keep a curious pet out of the kitchen while you’re cooking.
Dogs love to chew on things and may develop gastrointestinal problems if they consume clothing, towels, sheets, or rags. Put dirty clothes in a covered container and put away clean laundry promptly.
Household waste can pose all sorts of dangers to a pet. Keep trash cans covered or store them inside cabinets to keep pets out.
Train Your Furry Friend
Using the right equipment to train your pet can help you keep it safe. Dogwatch of Eastern Connecticut sells training products and devices that can be used to create boundaries indoors and outdoors. Contact us today to learn more.
