Dogproofing 101

Have you just adopted a new dog? Congratulations! Fido won’t take long to completely melt your heart. Dogs are truly special! They’re also, well, rather prone to mischief. To keep your canine buddy safe, you’ll want to do some basic doggyproofing. A Niagara Falls, ON vet offers some tips on making your home safe for Fido below.

Small and sharp objects are at the top of the list when it comes to puppyproofing. Some dogs will try to chew or eat, well, pretty much anything. This can be quite dangerous! Beads, buttons, pens, jewelry, tacks, nails, screws, and craft kit pieces are just a few of the things that are dangerous to dogs.

Drape cords, electrical wires, and other types of rope, string, or cord, are very dangerous to playful dogs. Keep these things out of paws’ reach!

Many popular household plants are poisonous to Fido. Make sure to only keep nontoxic plants in your home. You can check the ASPCA website for a full list of safe and unsafe plants.

Many cleaning agents are very poisonous to pets. Automotive products are also dangerous to Fido. Antifreeze is particularly concerning, as it is very toxic, but has a taste many dogs and cats like.

Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers are all highly toxic to dogs. Even if Fido isn’t interested in eating these chemicals, he could get sick just by walking over a recently-treated patch and then licking his paws.

Fido has been known to go through the garbage in search of leftovers. Use a trashcan with a secure lid. Garbage could contain can lids, bones, plastic wrappers, tin foil, skewers, and other dangerous objects.

Some pooches won’t hesitate to chew on their human’s socks or shirts. Keep your laundry off the floor.

Last but not least, if you have a back yard for Fido to patrol, make sure that your fencing is secure. We also recommend getting a self-latching gate.

These are just a few tips for puppy proofing. Ask your vet for more information. It’s also important to make sure your pet has plenty of suitable toys, and is getting enough exercise.

Does your canine friend need an exam, vaccinations, or parasite control? Call us today! As your local Niagara Falls, ON pet clinic, we are here to help!