“Pet Proofing” Your Home
Kittens and puppies are lively and curious, which can get them into serious trouble. Remember that your young pet sees everything from a much lower vantage point than you, like a baby who has begun to crawl, and may be attracted to things you do not see while standing up.
It’s impossible to totally “pet proof” your home against accidents, but here are some recommendations.
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Securely screen all windows to help prevent falls, and keep your pet off of balconies, upper porches, and high decks.
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Securely store cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, bleach, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, fertilizer, disinfectants, mothballs, roach & rat poisons, medications, and antifreeze. Make sure you keep those in tightly closed areas to which your pet cannont gain access. Keep all cabinet doors closed securely.
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Remove poisonous house plants, or place them in hanging baskets completely out of reach of all pets. Some plants that are poisonous include amaryllis, english ivy, narcissus, dieffenbachia, mistletoe, poinsettia, holly, philodendron, azalea, rhododendron, daffodil daphne, foxglove, bleeding heart, potato, iris, ivy, oleander, rubber plant, tobcco, tulip, clematis, morning glory, and weeping fig.
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Keep toilet lids down. Young pets may decide to pay or drink in the water, and the lid could close and trap them; also, toilet bowl cleansers are harmful if swallowed.
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Store plastic bags where the young pet cannot get inside them and suffocate or chew/tear them and swallow bits of plastic. Plastic six-pack holders used for packaging beverages should be cut apart.
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Keep exposed electrical cords as short as possible, or tack them against a baseboard so the pet cannot play with or chew on them.
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Never give your pet any medication without first consulting with your veterinarian. Never use over-the-counter products on pets without first checking with your veterinarian. Veterinarians are the true pet experts. Guard against potential exposure to human medications. Even in small doses, aspirin, acetaminophen, diet pills, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers can all be fatal to your pet.
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Keep all dresser drawers, trunks, and closets closed. Always check to see where the pet is before closing refigerator doors, the oven, washer, or dryer.
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Always be sure your pet is secure before leaving the pet alone. We strongly recommend the pet be confined in a plastic travel crate for at least the first few months.
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If the pet is allowed outdoors, always be sure to blow your horn and hang on the hood before starting and moving your vehicle. Kittens especially like to crawl up under teh hood to keep warm.
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Keep sewing supplies out of your pet’s reach. Buttons, needles, pins, and thread can hurt his mouth or cause intestinal obstructions if swallowed. The same goes for nails, staples, screws, brads, earplugs, and aluminum can tabs.
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Do not use electric blankets for the pet’s bedding.
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Never put anything other than the appropriate collar around a pet’s neck. Ribbons can easily choke the pet if they should get caught on anything.
