The process of making sure that your home is safe by removing hazards, keeping away dangerous tools or drugs and changing the environment to prevent injury or accidents is known as pet-proofing. It is important to have a safety-proof environment when bringing home a vulnerable person like a child, elderly person, or animals. Pet-proofing your home is one of the first steps in creating a safe environment for the newest paw-addition to your family. Dogs and cats are naturally curious, so here are a few things you can do to make sure it is generally safe for them to explore.
Examples of harmful items to your pet
- Human medicine and food: a lot of human food like chocolates, seeds, grapes, milk and dairy etc. are dangerous for pets and can cause issues ranging from mild discomfort to death.
- Cleaning agents: Chemicals like dish soap, bathing soap, bleach etc are just as harmful to pets when they come in contact with your pets body parts like eyes or when ingested.
- A lot of household plants and flowers (e.g. peonies, ivy, cacti, tulips etc.) can trigger allergic reactions or death in the worst cases for your pets.
- Unsecured furniture like shelves or mirrors that can tilt if your pets walk on them can cause accidents.
How to pet-proof your home
Here are several ways you can protect your pet from accidents and toxic substances:
- One easy way to protect your pet is by teaching them a command that removes them from any space that can cause an accident e.g. the kitchen or near the grill using words like ‘space’ or ‘back it up.’ and rewarding the behavior.
- Make sure to unplug appliances and keep them away from your pets’ reach.
- Consider outlet covers and pet-proof latches on spaces like lower cupboards and drawers that contain medication, cleaning supplies or sharp objects.
- Keep counters clear of objects or teach your pets to not get on counters to prevent hurting themselves and/or knocking things over.
- Secure windows to prevent pets from falling out and doors to keep them away from specific rooms or running outside.
What to do if your pet ate something toxic
Sometimes accidents happen and it’s important to know what your pets’ normal behaviors and quirks look like so you can quickly pick up when something is wrong. Here are some common you can look out for if you suspect that your pet has ingested something toxic:
- Vomiting
- Impaired balance or coordination e.g walking wobbly.
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Irritable mood
- Excessive panting
If you suspect that your pet may have eaten something toxic, call your veterinarian or emergency veterinarian clinic immediately. If you know, tell them what your pet was exposed to. The ingredients and how much they weigh, so they can assess the situation and offer advice for next steps.
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