Taking care of pets is a huge responsibility. Feeding, training, grooming and regular visits to the vet are not enough. We should also make sure that our homes are safe and pleasant environment for these furry creatures! There are various things in our homes that are dangerous to our pets and sometimes, we often don't even give them a thought. My friend Shawn Ulmsted, himself an ardent pet lover, shares some tips on dealing with potential risks in our homes that could harm and endanger our beloved pets.
Keep electrical cords out of reach. Young animals, especially kittens and puppies love to play with electrical wires. They could get entangled and asphyxiated. Or they could bite on the wires which can result in electrocution or severe burns, not to mention loss of the cord in question for your appliance. If you must have electrical wires in the open, get some cord guards from your local hardware or electrical store. And in case something horrible happens, never touch a dead pet found with an electrical cord in its mouth; the pet may still be live and you will be electrocuted too. Turn the power off at the mains or call the fire brigade or police for assistance.
Some plants are safe around pets but a lot of them are not so be careful when picking plants for your home and garden. Many of the beautiful flowers in floral arrangements are deadly to our furry friends, such as lilies and hydrangeas. Holiday plants such as holly, mistletoe and poinsettias can be toxic to animals when ingested. They should be kept out of reach from chewing pets or keep them out of the house altogether.
Keep household chemicals under lock and key. A curious pet can easily fall prey to some nasty chemical combinations if attracted to the product or chewing the container. One problematic household item in particular is antifreeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet and is therefore attractive to pets. It will attack your pet's kidneys very quickly if swallowed, so never have it at pet level or where a pet can get to it. Lock it and all of your other chemical products up!
Never leave a burning candle alone any time for any reason; this is how fires start. It is even more dangerous when pets are around - the flame can attract them to play with it, or they can accidentally brush a candle with a tail as they walk by, knocking it over. When using candles, always be present or keep the pets away.
Be careful with pet toys. Make sure they are not too small for your pet or they can be choking hazards. Strings and yarn should also be put away when you have finished playing with the kitten or puppy because the animal can become entangled in it when you are not present.
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