by Dan Sultzbach
Top 10 Home Hazards for Indoor Pets
Every pet owner wants to give their cats, dogs, birds, fish and other pets a safe, happy home, but our homes are filled with many more hazards than most pet owners realize. Fortunately, it is easy to take steps to minimize any risks and keep pets safe.
Chemicals
Cleaning fluids, oils, antifreeze, perfumes, lotions, makeup and other chemicals can all be highly toxic to pets. In some cases, even contaminating a sensitive pet’s skin can cause a dangerous reaction.
Keep Pets Safe: Store all chemicals in tightly latched cupboards or similar safe areas out of pets’ reach. Keep toilet lids down if chemicals are used in the bowl, and discard empty containers or contaminated tissues and cloths where pets can’t reach them.
Pesticides and Traps
Bug sprays, ant traps, snap traps and other rodent and pest control measures can be just as dangerous for pets as for insects and rodents. Even small traps can cause wounds that could get infected, and chemical pesticides can be fatal to pets.
Keep Pets Safe: Only use pesticides in areas away from pets, including away from all feeding or drinking areas and dishes. Traps and baits should only be placed where they are absolutely out of reach of pets.
Vents and Ducts
Small pets might fall down a floor heating duct or get a foot trapped in a grate, while all heating ducts or fireplace vents could concentrate fumes that are dangerous to pets. Close exposure to vents can also cause too much heating or cooling that can make pets uncomfortable.
Keep Pets Safe: Never position a pet’s bed, tank or cage near a vent, and inspect vents regularly for bending or warping that could trap an unwary paw or tail. If a fireplace is used, always supervise pets carefully to prevent the risk of fire.
Electrical Cords
Many different pets may take a nibble at electrical cords, and they risk burns, electrocution and tangling in the cords. Whether the cords are from appliances, lights, holiday light strands or other sources, they are all potentially dangerous.
Keep Pets Safe: Hide cords behind furniture or under rugs, or use sturdy cord covers or otherwise make electrical cords inaccessible to pets. Train pets to keep away from cords, and avoid playing with similar toys such as strings or ribbons that look like cords.
Houseplants
Many beautiful houseplants are toxic to pets, sometimes even if the plant is simply licked or rubbed against. Pets that consume houseplants may become ill, and too much ingestion of plant oils can easily be fatal.
Keep Pets Safe: Keep houseplants properly pruned so there are no loose leaves to fall and tempt pets, and position plant pots higher up on shelves, tables or mantles and out of pets’ reach. Never allow pets to drink from plant pots or saucers.
CLICK HERE to read all 10 tips and the full article on Concord Pet Foods & Supplies website.
