Household Dangers

Pet Proofing your Home
Dublin vets know you  ”childproof”  your home but so too you should you Pet Proof” your home to make it safe for your four-legged family members. Cats and dogs just like small children are naturally curious and love to explore their environment with their paws, claws and mouths. But they can’t know what is dangerous and what is not – more over unlike humans they do not become less curious or more careful as they get older. The following tips from Anicare’s Clontarf Veterinary Hospital can help ensure that your pet enjoys a long, happy and accident-free life in your care.

About the house

• Prevent falls by screening windows and so not let young pets out on balconies, upper porches or high decks.
• Many house plants, including dieffenbachia, elephant ear, spider plants and more are poisonous if eaten. Remove them or put them out of reach in hanging baskets.
• Puppies & kittens love to chew when they’re teething, so unplug, remove or cover electrical cords.
• Don’t leave a room where a fire is lit or a space where a heater is being used unattended.
• Plastic bags may be fun to play with, but they can suffocate.
• If your pet can put something in his mouth, he probably will. So don’t leave small, sharp, easily swallowed objects lying around.

In the garage

• Cats enjoy naps near a warm engine so, before you drive off, honk your horn and make sure your pet is not under or near the car.
• Pets like the smell and taste of antifreeze and windshield washer. Tightly cover their containers and wipe up any spills.
• Paint, gasoline and other dangerous chemicals should be stored out of reach.

In the kitchen, laundry room & bathroom

• Never leave burners or irons on unattended.
• Dangerous household chemicals such as bleach and ammonia should be stored out of your pet’s reach.
• Close washer and dryer lids – your pet might climb in and become trapped.
• Keep toilet lids down – small pets can actually drown, if they fall in.
• Medicines, shampoo, suntan lotions and other personal care items can kill your pet. Make sure she can’t get hold of them.

Outdoors

• Some outdoor plants, like ivy and oleander, can be poisonous to pets.
• Keep pets away from lawns and gardens treated with chemicals.
• Store garden tools and chemicals securely. Keep garden sheds locked.
• Remember some chemical especially slug bait is poisonous to pets.

And lastly Anicare Dublin vets ask you to  remember the festive season. Christmas provides many more hazards with tinsel. Xmas tree lights and glass decorations will all tempt your pets curiosity but could be lethal chewed or swallowed. Also mistletoe and Holly are poisonous to pets.
So we at Clontarf veterinary Hospital hope these tips help keep the home of our clients from Malahide to Marino and from Donebate to Donneycarney safe for all our four legged family friends

Should you have any queries on this or any other topic call Clontarf veterinary Hospital on

01 8330744

Or click the link below to find out more about us.

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital Dublin

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital – Where We Put the Care of Your Pet First – ALWAYS.

www.anicare.ie