When it comes to dog safety there are certain things that an owner should be mindful of when it comes to their particular dog’s needs and requirements. By keeping these in mind an owner has more chances to ensure that their dog remains safe and secure at all times. Even if you do find that your pet spends vast amounts of time within the home they are still susceptible to being exposed to hazards that could be potentially dangerous to them. Below are some guidelines to ensure that your dog remains safe while in the home either on their own or when you are there:
Plants – Although you may not think of this, the plants you have in your home or garden could be potentially poisonous to your dog. So it is important that you know exactly what plants you have and what ones are a hazard to your dogs health and place them in locations where your dog is unlikely to be able to get to them. There are plenty of places online today which can offer you a list of plants that are hazardous to your dog’s health.
Cleaning Products – Make sure that all cleaning products are kept in locations where your dog cannot get to them. Although some may only cause them to have a mild stomach upset if ingested, there are others that can prove to be extremely harmful. Such products are likely to cause severe burns to your dog’s throat, mouth and stomach and if not treated quickly enough can prove to be fatal to your dog.
Food – There are many foods that while fine for human consumption will be harmful if not deadly for dogs. While most people know chocolate is one of those foods, there are many others which are less known and even more harmful, such as avocados, onions, garlic, caffeine, grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts. Another toxin which you should be aware of is xylitol, which is a sweetener found in candy, gum and other diet foods. There are many other common foods you should be aware of. Full lists of foods toxic to animals can be found online. Always keep the number of your local veterinarian, the closest emergency clinic and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center – (888) 426-4435.
Access to and from vehicles and heights – Many people when looking at dog safety will often forget that a lot of injuries to dogs are caused by pressure and stress being placed on their body’s joints, muscles and ligaments. Smaller dogs can be harmed just from jumping from furniture. When a dog is getting in and out of a vehicle, an owner will often just allow their dog to jump, but this can actually cause more damage to their dog than they know. However to prevent such damage and to ensure that a dog can get in or out of a vehicle easily an owner should consider purchasing a good quality set of pet steps such as those designed by Pet Loader. These steps have been specifically designed with dogs in mind and they are extremely stable no matter what height of vehicle you drive plus they are coated with a washable carpet which provides sufficient traction for your dog as they climb in or out of your vehicle.