| sponsible pet owners are aware that we must keep | | | | vents, pinning them to the hot surface. Cover all vents |
| our cats and dogs from certain dangers in our home. | | | | by wrapping them in layers of net and pushing the |
| We know that we need to keep them from chewing | | | | vent tightly into the floor. They may still catch a nail, but |
| on electrical cords, from drinking toilet water that | | | | the net will help protect them burning their paws. |
| contains self-cleaning chemicals, to keep them away | | | | Rawhide |
| from antifreeze and other chemical products, and out | | | | Dogs love to chew rawhide, but small bits may come |
| from under the recliner. But our homes also present | | | | off and lodge in the throat causing the animal to choke, |
| many other dangers to our feline and canine | | | | or create an obstruction in the stomach or intestines. |
| companions that we need to consider and take steps | | | | Rawhide chews may also harbor salmonella, infecting |
| to prevent accidental poisoning or injury, possibly even | | | | the dog and family members, and some unregulated |
| death. | | | | manufacturers may use toxic chemical in the |
| Paper Shredders | | | | production of rawhide treats. |
| Most paper shredders have an on/off switch and | | | | Toilets |
| automatic-feed buttons. The motors may become | | | | Even if you don’t use continuous-cleaning |
| warm with use and cats are known to love warm | | | | products in your toilet, keep the lid closed or the |
| places, and they will walk on anything. It offers the cat | | | | bathroom door shut. Small curious pets may fall in |
| a cozy sleeping spot, and they may get their fur | | | | head first and drown |
| caught in the shredding teeth. There also have been | | | | Christmas Ornaments |
| reported cases of dogs getting their tongues caught in | | | | They may look like toys to your pet. Broken shards of |
| the shredder. Turn your paper shredder off when not | | | | glass can cut your pet’s paws, and any |
| in use, and never leave the auto-feed button on. Better | | | | ornament can cause a life-threatening emergency if |
| yet, unplug the paper shredder until you need it. | | | | shards are eaten. Tinsel and ribbon are cat magnets, |
| Cat Litter | | | | and can cause intestinal obstructions if your cat ingests |
| Avoid clumping cat litters, especially with kittens. Kittens | | | | them. |
| have died after licking this litter off their paws. It will | | | | Swimming Pools |
| swell in their intestine, causing an obstruction. | | | | Don’t allow your dog access to swimming pools |
| Deodorized cat litters have a chemical base. If your | | | | without supervision. Most dogs can’t climb |
| dog has the unfortunate habit of dining from the cat | | | | ladders. Put stair steps in your pool and train your dog |
| box, the litter can poison him. Stick with basic clay | | | | how to get out. |
| litters. | | | | Potpourri |
| Washers and Dryers | | | | Cats especially (and some dogs) may find your liquid |
| Cats and kittens love warm, enclosed spots. Keep the | | | | potpourri tasty but it is caustic and will burn the linings |
| lid closed on your washing machine when it is not in | | | | of their esophagus or even poison them. |
| use, and make sure kittens aren’t snuggled up in | | | | Doors |
| the laundry basket before adding the load. When | | | | Heavy doors can swing shut quickly on a small puppy |
| loading the dryer, keep an eye out that Fluffy | | | | or cat and crush them, or injure the paws or tails of |
| doesn’t decide to jump in and get all cozy. | | | | larger dogs. |
| Wheelchairs | | | | Trash Cans |
| Pets can get caught in the wheel spokes whether | | | | Dogs love to rummage through the trash can, but |
| chairs are in use or not. Store wheel chairs in a room | | | | there is much kitchen and household waste that can |
| or closet away from pets when not in use. | | | | injure your dog or make him ill, even poison him. Seed |
| Wire Crates | | | | and pits from apples, apricots, cherries, and plums |
| Tags and collars can get caught in the bars. Be sure | | | | contain a chemical that can cause cyanide poisoning. |
| the floor fits properly and covers the bottom of the | | | | Onions and garlic can cause anemia in dogs. Coffee |
| wire bars. The pet should have a well-fitted collar and | | | | grounds and tea bags contain caffeine and tannin |
| the tags should not dangle down too far. If the pet will | | | | which are toxic to dogs. Cat love string, rubber bands, |
| be left unattended in the crate, remove his collar when | | | | ribbon, and yarn, which can cause intestinal |
| you leave and put it back on immediately when you let | | | | obstructions if swallowed. Pop bottle lids and bread |
| him out. Don’t put the collar on the top of the | | | | tags are choking hazards. The edges of food cans |
| crate where he can get to it and chew on it. | | | | and lids removed with a can opener can cause |
| Power Strips and Outlets | | | | severe cuts to the tongue if they try to lick the rest of |
| Put safety covers on any open outlets to keep your | | | | the food out, or cut their paws if they step on them. |
| pet from licking the outlet or sticking a nail into it. | | | | Keep the trash can covered with a tight-fitting lid or |
| Home-Made Play Dough | | | | keep it under a counter with a child-safe door latch |
| Kids love play dough and pieces may fall off the table | | | | (smart pets can open doors that don’t latch!). |
| onto the floor. Home-made play dough has a high salt | | | | Toys |
| content and may cause salt poisoning in pets, which | | | | Your children’s’ plastic toys that have |
| can be fatal. | | | | small pieces that can be removed, and stuffed toys |
| Cigarettes and Tobacco Products | | | | with eyes that can be chewed off are all potential |
| Nicotine can be fatal to dogs. Keep all cigarettes, pipes | | | | choking hazards to your pet as well. When buying toys |
| and tobacco, chewing tobacco, and all other tobacco | | | | for your pet, be sure they are well made with any |
| products away from pets. Empty ashtrays often. | | | | parts that can’t come off. When toys start to |
| Plastic Food Wrap | | | | wear or become chewed, or the stuffing starts to |
| Pets may ingest bits of plastic wrap when licking food | | | | come out, throw them away and replace them. |
| residues off of them, and the bits can cause choking | | | | Avoid tragedy by pet-proofing your home. Treat your |
| or an intestinal obstruction. | | | | dog or cat as if it were a curious child, ready to get |
| Floor Vents | | | | into everything. |
| Your pet’s tags or paws can get caught in the | | | | |