Dog Proofing Your Living Space

Dogs are truly man's best friend. They provide us with so much joy. They cheer us up when we are down and are always so happy. There are many joys and responsibilities of owning a pet. One of the really important things to do is to be aware of the safety of the environment that we are providing our pet. So, pet proofing our homes is vital for them. Some helpful insights or hints are necessary to help you create the right environment for your pet. A great way to see how safe your home really is, is to look at it from your dog's line of vision. Anything that they could knock over, chew or destroy becomes a target. It is important to remove these temptations. These can include hanging wires, blinds or shade cords, plant and so many more things. Thus, it is important the we get informed. 1. Plants Are Not Pet's Best Friends Our homes are surrounded with flowers, plants and foliage. Although they accentuate and decorate our living spaces, they do not always agree with our pets. Plants are very accessible snacks that dogs may find themselves chewing on and ingesting. So, if you have plants or are considering buying them, research to find out which ones are the most pet-friendly. Flowers as well can be problematic. Lilies, tulips, poinsettias and chrysanthemums, for example are a few that toxic to dogs. So, make sure that vases or flowered plants are not placed on low lying coffee or end table, but rather up on the counters away from your dogs reach. 2. Medications Need To Be Tucked Away Many home have medication, whether it been over the counter or prescription meds. Just as it is important to keep medications out of the reach of small children, it is just as vitally important to keep them away from your pets. From aspirin to cough syrup or heart medications, these all need to be stored in a safe and controlled area. Many people keep meds in bottle or containers on low level nightstands or counters. This means that your dog can jump up and have access and very quickly problems can escalate. So, make sure that all your medications are tucked away into a safe location, where your dog cannot gain access. 3. Foods That Are Dangerous and Should Be Avoided Our homes and pantries contain many different types of foods. However, not all of those foods are good or safe for your pets. So, it is important as a pet owner to be aware of the foods can be very dangerous for our pets. Two of the most common ingredients use in cooking are onions and garlic. However, both these foods can be toxic to dogs. Symptoms can start from vomiting, diarrhea, weakness which can be lead to organ failure. So be very careful about feeding your dog foods containing these ingredients. Fruits and vegetables, such as grapes, raisins and avocados are considered dangerous and can lead to vomiting, lethargy, as well as kidney failure. rnCaffeine and caffeine related foods, such as coffee and chocolate are toxic to your dog. In addition to caffeine, chocolate contains other chemicals that are toxic to dogs. It is really important that foods that are considered dangerous for your dog be tucked away in cupboards, that are not able to be opened by your pet. In addition, it is vital your whole family is aware, especially small children that can drop snacks, grapes or raisins on the floor and your dog is usually right there to pick up the scraps. 4. What is in Your Trash Can? Trash cans are curious places for our pets. However, they can also be a very dangerous place for you dog as well. So it is crucial that your trash can has a lid that is securely fastened and not easily accessible. If your garbage can does not have a lid, keep it in a cupboard that can be locked or fastened so that your dog cannot get in. Trash can have smells and aroma that will automatically attract your dog. In addition, to containing sharp objects and food waste that can injurious and harmful for your pets. So it is important to keep it concealed. 6. Window Treatments Are Not Meant To Be Toys Many of our homes have window blinds or shades with hanging cords. Truly there is nothing more alluring to your pet. These cords can be dangerous and even fatal to our pets and small children if they become entangled in them. It is important to have these cords away from the ground, tucked up and away. If you are thinking about purchasing new window fashions, consider purchasing cordless cellular shades and blinds. rn7. Hanging Cords or Wires Are A No-No Now days, our homes are filled with technology, from computers and printers to cell phones and tablets. As a result, we have many cords, wires and chargers that recharge our devices. It can be easy to forget how these dangling cords can become a chewable toy. So it is important to remember this when recharging our devices, before you need to buy replacements. rn8. Protecting Your Doors from Claws and Paws Our dogs go from the inside to the outside many times during the day. When we keep our doors open, they have easy access. However, may times our doors can become damaged or destroyed from our pet's scratching paws and claws. An answer to this problem is to install a pet proof screen door. They are manufactured with heavy duty fiberglass mesh that will resist ripping, tearing and destruction. These pet proof screens are more than seven times stronger than conventional fiberglass screens. So even the most tenacious of pets will not be able to destroy or damage your screen.