The Safety Check. Be sure to check your home, yard and neighborhood so that your pet will have a safe and healthy environment. If you have a dog, make sure that your hard is fenced and gate to prevent it from escaping. And remember, dogs like to tunnel so how your fence is installed is important. With regard to cats, if you have one that likes to go in and out, it will probably wander, although usually not too far (especially if they are either spayed or neutered). But they can and do get into fights with other cats, annoy neighbors, get accidentally locked into someone’s garage, get hit by cars, etc. So be sure to check your neighborhood for these possible hazards. They best thing is to keep a cat indoors and only let out on a leash and harness or under personal supervision. When it comes to your home, keep in mind that puppies and kittens are especially curious. Puppies like to chew on everything in sight and kittens climb into everything. This checklist should be helpful in making your home a safe place for your pet:
Don’t leave garbage cans open.
Check to be sure doors to washing machines, dryers, freezers, ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators are securely closed (before and immediately after use).
Make sure all medicines and household cleaners are locked up with tops in place.
Watch out that hot irons or pans or heavy objects are not precariously placed so that they might easily fall on a pet.
Some innocently looking plants are toxic to cats and dogs. They should not have access to: Philodendrons, Dieffenbachias, True Ivies, Elephant’s Ears, Poinsettias, False Jerusalem Cherrys, Oleanders, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Cherry Laurels, and Mistletoe
Don’t give any medications to pets not prescribed by a vet. Don’t ever give aspirin to a cat.
Be sure you have a fireplace screen.
Be cautious about keeping burning candles around cats.
Rubber bands and small soft rubber objects could cause your pet to choke.
Exposed hot surfaces should not be left unattended.
Don’t let your pet chew on electrical cords.
Large plastic bags should not be left out.
Don’t allow your pet to have access to anti-freeze-contaminated water in your garage, e.g. a puddle under your car.
Don’t leave sharp objects such as knives and razors out.