Explore your house from your pet’s perspective. Look for poisoning, choking, strangulation and electrocution hazards such as cords they could chew. Secure your garbage and check that your houseplants are non-toxic. Place medications, cleaning products, pesticides and other household chemicals out of reach. Ten thousand pets die each year from antifreeze poisoning from as little as a drop. And keep the toilet lid down, please.
Watch YouTube videos or ask your vet how to clip nails, brush and bathe your pet to keep them looking and feeling good. Keep in mind human soaps and shampoos can be too harsh for animals. Most pets, no matter how well trained, will make messes. Become an expert at stain removal and disinfection. Keep up on their tick and flea control.
Plants that are beautiful and colorful to us can make your pet sick. Among them are azaleas, ferns, ivies, daffodils and, of course, in the winter, poinsettias. Plant insecticides and fertilizers are among the top 10 pet poisons.
Feed only high-quality food recommended by your vet (not table scraps). Limit treats. Know what human foods are dangerous to animals; grapes, onions and chocolate are toxic to dogs. Wet food, once opened, should be stored in the refrigerator. Dry food, once opened, should be kept in its original container at below 80 degrees.
Hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, reptiles and fish have unique needs. They need clean bedding and water, roomy cages, vitamin supplements, chew toys, and, for birds, a place away from drafts. Birds near a sunny window can become stressed from perceived predators; in the kitchen, fumes from overheated non-stick cookware can be fatal. Your best bet is a great veterinarian who can recommend the right care approach for all your household pets.
A happy and healthy pet makes for a happy and healthy home. No wonder 7 of 10 American households have pets, and the percent is even higher in families with children and seniors.
