
Keep Your Pets Safe This Season: Holiday and Winter Pet Safety
It’s that dragging boxes down from the attic, shiny things…
Dangers For Both Cats and Dogs
Pets possess a PAWmazing sense of smell, so even when you feel items are out of harm’s way, they are never truly out of “paws reach” if they smell good. Statistics show our pets’ sense of smell to be from 1,000 to 1,000,000 times better than ours, so remove temptations to keep your pets safe.
Also, realize when using liquid or powder to clean floors and countertops, kill bugs or nourish lawns, what you use can be absorbed through your pet’s paw pads. What isn’t, will be ingested when your dog or cat grooms himself! Do your fur kids a favor, and use only pet-safe products around your house and yard.
Seemingly harmless items like pennies could be fatal to a small dog if swallowed. These copper-coated coins, minted after 1982, are actually zinc discs. When ingested by your dog, his stomach acid breaks down the zinc resulting in liver toxicity, and even death, if not quickly treated. What about push pins, staples or toothpicks dropped on carpet? Once inside your precious pet, these items can cause punctures and obstructions can then occur.
October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month. With that in mind, it’s important to take a moment to look at your house, yard, and everyday surroundings from your pet’s perspective. Get down on all fours – on your hands and knees — to see what life looks like at 7” to 22” off the floor, depending on whether you share your life and space with a Chihuahua or a Great Dane.
Anything within paw’s reach is a potential danger to your dog or cat, and this can include things that seem to be neatly stowed behind cabinet doors and on shelving. If you cohabitate with a kitty cat, you’ll also need to get out a step stool to glance at the top of your refrigerator and on shelves to notice what hazards lurk in higher places, since that’s where felines roam.
The following are only a few of the many common items to be cautious of in basic home scenarios:
According to the Pet Poison Helpline®, (800) 213-6680, the Top 10 Kitchen Toxins are:
But also watch out for…
When you have a pet, you have a furry toddler for life and one whom you have the privilege of protecting. While this is not a complete list, it is a great starting point for you to consider. Please take the time to review your entire home for potential dog dangers and kitty catastrophes to prevent them from happening!
Pet insurance can cover emergency visits, helping you to feel at ease with your pet’s health.
Here at PetFirst, we know accidents and illnesses happen to all pets. PetFirst is here for every canine and cat. From a small cold to big health problems alike. Pet insurance can help cover unexpected vet visits.