Pet Proffing your Home

When the stork brings home a new bundle of joy, one of the first things parents do is baby-proof the house to make sure the two-legged child grows up in a safe environment. Four-legged children should deserve no les! Here are a few tips pet-parents can use to provide a safe, comfy home for their furry bundles of joy. 

Common sense is the best teacher for successful pet-proofing, so the first thing you want to do is locate the potential hazards in your home and then either secure or eliminate them. Exposed wires and cords are especially dangerous; make sure all of your wires are properly insulated, and treat any exposed areas with bitter sprays to prevent electrocution. 

Certain plants can also pose a threat to your pets. Watch out for oleander, philodendrons, and certain species of ferns, and take care to eliminate them or place them in a spot where you are sure your pets can't reach them. 

The same goes for other products such as cleaning fluids, bleach, kerosene, drain cleaner, anti-freeze, and snail and rat poison - these are all extremely toxic to pets and should be locked away or hidden accordingly. Child protection latches are useful for both children and pets, so use them as needed, and don't forget to lock up any household cleaners your pets could get to. 

Murphy's law applies particularly well to pets, as they have a knack for destroying and getting into your most dangerous and expensive items. If there's some valuable that could either harm or be harmed by your pet, don't take any chances. Move it away or hide it and you and your pet will be happier for it! 

Article by Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM