|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PUPPY PROOFING YOUR HOME
Check your plants If your puppy has a tendency to nibble on grass, don't be alarmed. However, many plants in and around your house can be threatening to your pup. Did you know that grapes, raisins, the pits of apricots and peaches, as well as spinach and tomato vines, can make your puppy sick and, in large dosages, can even be fatal? Click here to learn about more plants that you should keep away from your puppy. For a more complete list of dangerous doggie plants, consult your vet.
Keep your toilet lid down. In the last few days before arrival, give your house a good cleaning and remove breakable items from areas where your dog will be. Also, spend some time preparing yourself or your family. Small children need to know how to act around puppies and dogs. They also need to learn how to hold, pet, and carry the puppy safely.
HOME SAFETY To a curious and creative dog, anything can be a potential toy, treat or prize. But there are many things in the home that can be harmful to your pet. Learning to identify and remove those things from your dog’s reach is an important part of creating a safe home for your dog. Potential Hazard – Cleaners: Includes household cleaners, bleach, disinfectants, detergents, dryer sheets, soap and more. All of these can have varying levels of toxicity or may burn if touched or consumed. What You Can Do: Keep all cleaners sealed in their bottles. Store the bottles out of reach or in a latched cabinet. Remember, some dogs can open normal cabinets. As your new puppy grows, he will be able to explore higher places and be tempted to jump up on shelves. Potential Hazard – Chemicals: Includes automotive fluids, ESPECIALLY antifreeze (which is highly toxic yet very sweet), fertilizers, weed killers, cleaning fluid, insect poisons, rat poisons, moth balls, oven cleaners and more. These are often extremely toxic and can be deadly to your puppy. What You Can Do: Keep any household or automotive chemicals locked away in cabinets or storage areas. If these chemicals are in the garage, don’t leave your dog in the garage unsupervised. Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of the puppy's reach. Potential Hazard - Foil, Plastic Wrap and Insulation: Materials like these often have tempting food particles or grease on them, but shred quickly and are easily swallowed. Any of these materials can cause serious internal problems, especially insulation, which is often made with fiberglass. What You Can Do: Don’t leave foil, wrap, insulation or similar materials lying around the house. If you use foil or wrap in the kitchen, throw it away someplace your dog cannot reach. If installing insulation or doing construction, clean up all scraps. Potential Hazard - Pest Control: Bug traps, rodent traps, foggers, insecticides – even your dog’s own flea medicine. All of these are designed to kill or trap, and can cause harm to your dog. Insect traps are often sweet, which is an extra temptation. What You Can Do: Store these items in a locked or latched cabinet. If you have to leave insect traps out, make sure they’re in places your dog can’t get at them. Potential Hazard – Drugs: Whether over the counter or prescription, or even your dog’s own prescriptions, drugs can cause serious problems in the case of an overdose. And don’t assume that ‘mild’ drugs are OK – even aspirin can cause serious problems. What You Can Do: Keep all medications in sealed containers away from your dog’s reach. NEVER self-medicate your dog. Only give drugs to your dog as instructed by a veterinarian. Potential Hazard – Chocolate: This sweet treat can be toxic even in relatively small amounts. A half-ounce of baking chocolate or less per pound of dog can be toxic. What You Can Do: Don’t give your dog chocolate. Keep it out of reach, and don’t leave it out where your dog can reach it. Potential Hazard – Plants: Many household plants are bad for dogs and can cause problems ranging from stomach upsets to much more serious consequences. For a list, see our information on Poisonous Plants. What You Can Do: Review the list of poisonous plants and make sure none of those plants are in places where your dog can reach them. Supervise your dog when you introduce a new plant to make sure your dog isn’t tempted to take a bite. Potential Hazard – Wires: While they seem like fun
toys, wires that carry a current can electrocute a dog if
chewed. Even non-connected wires are troublesome – if
swallowed, they can cause internal damage. Potential Hazard - Sharp Objects: Knives, forks, paper clips, string, sewing needles and sharp bits of plastic are among the hazards often found in the house. They can be swallowed and cause unseen harm, or a romping dog could suffer cuts or punctures. What You Can Do: Keep these items away from you dog. If you see your dog chewing such an item, get it out of his mouth immediately. Potential Hazard - Universal Dangers: There are, of course, many other dangers that apply to humans as well as dogs. Falls, carbon monoxide poisoning, lead paint – if it can harm a person, it most likely can harm a dog. What You Can Do: Keep your house as safe as you would for a child. And remember – dogs won’t grow up and learn not to do certain things. Keeping a safe home is a lifelong commitment.
SOME ADDITIONAL TIPS
|
|
|
