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Written by Joey Pebble
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You call your dog or cat a member of the family. You spoil them with special treats and toys. They even have their own beds in the corner next to yours. You might even consider calling in sick to work to take them to the veterinarian if they are ill. Do you care enough about them to make sure your home is pet-proof?
Pet proofing your home is much like childproofing your home. Like small children, dogs and cats may not realize that cleaning chemicals or office supplies are harmful. Dogs may chew on markers or whiteout bottles. Pets may play with or chew on power cords, so keep all of these things safely out of reach. Reprimand your pet firmly the first time he or she begins playing with a potentially harmful object. This behavior is never 'cute'. Disciplining a pet who does this may save its life.
Many houseplants are toxic to pets. Some plants may cause a temporarily upset stomach, while others can be deadly. In general it is best to keep houseplants out of the reach of your pets. You may have a large number of plants, or you may simply be unable to keep them out of their reach. In this case it is important to teach your pet that the plants are off limits, from the moment he or she enters your household. Be firm and unyielding. Your pet's life may depend on its ability to understand that 'No!' means no.
Sometimes, dogs or cats find the bathroom commode an appealing alternate water source. This habit can be as deadly as it is revolting. Most chemical cleaning solutions used in toilet bowls contain hydrochloric acid and other harmful compounds. Your dog or cat may become poisoned by accidentally ingesting these chemicals by drinking from the toilet bowl.
Often pets have a tendency to get into the household trash and explore it for interesting food scraps. This can be messy and annoying, but is also very unsafe for your pets. Take a moment to consider the items currently in your trash. How many of them are potentially deadly to your cat or dog? Even though they may be looking for leftover food, poisonous chemicals or toxic substances may have already contaminated those leftovers.
Sometimes, pet owners feed both cats and dogs in the same room. Sometimes the dog eats the cat food, while the cat may occasionally stoop to eating from a dog bowl. This can be very harmful to both species. Cat food is much higher in fat than dog food, and can cause pancreatitis if eaten by dogs. In comparison, dog food lacks taurine, a chemical that cats require for vision. If cats eat dog food for long periods of time, they can go blind. Protect both your dogs and your cats; keep food bowls separate.
You love your pets, and you would do everything in your power to protect them from harm. Take the opportunity now to scan your home for potential dangers, and determine how you can prevent them. They are certainly worth this extra effort!
This article was provided PebbleZ - a manufacturer of natural stone drink coasters, and decorative accessories. It was written by Joey Pebble, an artist and designer that has worked with the company since its inception.
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