Bakersfield Life

A safe home for petd

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    It’s often been said that having a pet is much like having a rambunctious 3-year-old in the house. Few topics shed light on those similarities the way safety issues do, as creating a baby-safe house and a pet-safe house are more alike than they seem. Here are a few tips to keep your home and yard a safe and enjoyable space for you and your four-footed friends.

At home
    Appliance and electronics cords can be a hazard for pets when animals choose to chew on them. Cord protectors, sold in home improvement stores, can safely keep cords hidden from young pets. Made of plastic, they house cords behind their plastic shell and can be secured against the wall or along a floor area. Another option is to spray cords with chew deterrents, such as Bitter Apple, which has a harmless but unpleasant taste to discourage mouthing.

     Houseplants are another potential hazard, as there are several that can induce serious illness or death. The Humane Society of the United States publishes a guide of indoor and outdoor plants that are hazardous to pets, including which parts of the plant place your pet at risk. The guide can be downloaded at hsus.org.

    Another easily overlooked area is medication storage, including vitamins and mineral supplements. Cats can easily knock pills or pill bottles off of counters or shelves. Medium- and larger-sized dogs can reach tabletops and take prescription bottles in seconds, and child-safe caps have nothing on a determined dog’s teeth. Medication should be safely stored within cabinets and well out of reach of curious paws.

    While we’re on the subject of counters, keep dishrags well out of reach. Dogs may find the aroma of food scraps hard to resist and if ingested, the dishrags may become lodged in their digestive system, creating a blockage that can quickly become a veterinary emergency.

    In the bathroom, keep the toilet lids down to prevent pets from drinking toilet water, especially if you use continuous cleaning chemicals like those once-a-month toilet treatment tablets or hanging tank cleansers.

    “Think small” when pets are involved. Items like paper clips, rubber bands, bottle caps, string, toothpicks or twist ties don’t seem like much to us, but for pets they can cause serious issues, including choking, perforation and blockage hazards. Keep smaller, easily digested items stowed safely out of the way.

In the yard
    A secure fence is a must for keeping dogs safe when they are outdoors. Make sure your fence is tall enough that your dog cannot easily jump or climb over it and that they cannot dig or squirm under it. Small dogs can navigate through some tight spaces, so patrol the perimeter on a regular basis to identify and repair any potential escape routes. Outfit your gates with auto-close hinges so if someone accidentally leaves the gate open when leaving your yard, the gate will swing closed to avoid an accidental escape.

    Gardening products can also be a source of danger. Some snail bait products have an odor that dogs find attractive, causing accidental poisoning if eaten, so consider exchanging toxic baits for one of the more pet-friendly brands like Sluggo or Safer’s Slug and Snail Bait. Your local certified nursery will be happy to assist you with safer gardening options.

    General pest control is another area where caution is urged. If spraying for pests yourself, be sure to speak to a professional about products that are safe to use around pets. If you have a service, let them know you have animals and request pet-safe chemicals in areas where your pets roam. Be sure to move any outdoor toys to a safe location on the days when your services comes so they are not accidentally sprayed.

    Antifreeze is a potent poison that has a sweet smell dogs and cats find very attractive. If your pets frequent areas where your vehicles are also located, consider switching to one of the more pet-friendly antifreeze products in the marketplace. 

    With a little vigilance, a couple of preventative measures and a few simple changes you and your pets can have a safe and happy life.