From a human perspective, a house is a safe place. But sometimes, what’s good for us could be a health hazard for our pets.
So, we compiled this pet safety guide to help you understand and care for your four-legged friend as best as you can.
Here you’ll find comprehensive animal tips that you can easily incorporate into your day-to-day life.
So without further ado, here are some of the most critical areas that we’ll cover:
- Common Pet Dangers
- General Safety Rules for Pets
- Animal Safety at Home
- How to Keep Your Pet Safe Outdoors
- Animal Safety Rules While Traveling
- What Are the Holiday Animal Safety Tips?
The Most Common Pet Hazards
Safety should be a concern even before you welcome your furry pal home. The following are some of the most common issues:
Sharp Objects
Razors, farm tools, or kitchen cutlery all pose a danger to your pet. If you leave them lying around, your furry bestie might get a hold of them and end up getting hurt. Besides, it’s not a good idea to place sharp objects carelessly for your own safety, too.
Poisonous Chemicals
Do you know that 99% of things in your medicine cabinet or farm supplies are harmful to your dog or cat? Well, they are.
Chemicals, such as insecticides, battery fluids, fertilizers, household cleaners, detergents, and rat poisons, are incredibly harmful to your pet. Some are lethal enough to kill it or inflict immeasurable pain. That’s why knowing more about pet safety is important. when your dog or cat ingests a poisonous substance, it may lead to organ failure, and you might lose them forever.
Harmful Food
Just because you can eat a specific food, it doesn’t mean your pet can. So, never give your furry pal random treats. For example, chocolate is very damaging to a dogs’ health. Even a tiny bite can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea. If it’s a large amount, your canine may suffer seizures, tremors, irregular heartbeat, internal bleeding, or a heart attack.
That’s why we recommend checking any food before handing them to your pet. One innocent bite might be the end of a beautiful friendship, so it’s best to be on the safe side.
That’s why we recommend researching the foods that aren’t good for dogs. You’d be surprised, but even some bones can be dangerous for your pet.
Harmful Plants
Do you love plants? So does your pet. But, according to any pet safety guide you’ll read, they could potentially harm animals.
Plants look aesthetically appealing, but is it worth risking the health of your furry friend? Some of them are poisonous when ingested or can hurt your pet if it comes into contact with them.
The Jade plant is notoriously dangerous and lethal on ingestion for cats or dogs. Its toxins affect the animal’s body by invoking vomiting, slow heart rate, depression, and incoordination. All of this can take a turn for the worst if not treated. Aloe Vera is another example of a toxic plant for your pets.
Water
No, we’re not talking about drinking water. Although, pollution levels are rising.
Pet security should be every owner’s top priority. Did you know some dog species can’t swim? Examples include Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Pekingese. These canines are short and have a facial structure that may limit their swimming ability, so large water containers may be dangerous to them.
Electricity
Humans have long conquered the wonder of electricity. We understand how to use it and can’t live without it. But animals don’t know what it does. Pets might find tagging on an electrical cord amusing since they can’t understand the consequences.
They might get electrocuted to death, get burnt, or set the home ablaze with a spark.
Other Animals
Survival of the fittest has its disadvantages. So much so, in this pet safety guide, we should mention that some animals can be a security threat for your pet, especially if your bestie is a small animal.
For instance, if you have a pet bird, keep it away from dogs. Similarly, a pet rat won’t be too happy around a cat. That said, if your pet is vulnerable, ensure it’s protected in a cage.
The same goes for pets healing after a trip to the vet. Cone alternatives are brilliant for the affected pet but you also need to keep other animals away from the wound.
Other People
An outsider might also be a potential danger to your pet since they don’t share a connection with your pet.
For instance, if your guard dog is let loose, or your pet snake makes it to your neighbor’s porch, they might end up harming a person or getting killed in the process.
General Safety Rule For Pets
The simplest yet most effective way to eradicate most pet dangers collectively is to pet-proof your home and follow the general rules below.
You could also consider getting pet insurance to reduce the financial burden of pet emergencies.
Animal Safety Rules at Home
It’s rare to find a dog on a leash around the house as it’s generally allowed to run free. Other pets like snakes, spiders, turtles, and small animals might be locked up all the time. In any case, the following rules apply to most pets.
Lock Cabinets With Poisonous Items
Some pets, mostly dogs and cats, are naturally curious and love crawling into weird places. So, when they find an open cabinet, they can’t help but take a peek inside.
But that wondrous cabinet might contain harmful objects that put at risk the safety of your dog. Ingesting the wrong substance can have a devastating outcome, so avoid these scenarios by keeping everything toxic under lock and key.
Put Sharp Objects Out of Sight
Do you know that saying: “out of sight, out of mind”? It applies to your pet, too.
If your furry pal can’t see a sharp object, the chances of getting hurt remain low. Pets enjoy playing with all sorts of things they find, so don’t let them get their paws on a sharp pair of scissors that may inflict a wound.
Create the Best Environment for Your Pet
Every pet should have a comfortable place to lay down.
Usually, when you get an animal, the seller will give you all the needed animal safety facts to ensure that you and your pet will stay safe.
If you’re looking after a small creature, ensure that your animal companion is secure and can’t break free from its cage in your absence. It must also be well aerated, spacious, and comfortable.
Dog owners would want to ensure that their pet is the only animal getting in and out of the house, so consider getting a smart pet door to put your mind at ease while you’re at work.
Install All Electrical Cords Away
All responsible owners should adhere to this dog safety tip. Canines are fond of tagging and chewing on electrical cords, so better install them high.
You can use tight bracing to keep them in place, even if they run on the ground level. Once the dog cannot get a hold of the cable, it’ll lose interest and leave it alone.
Keep Poisonous Plants Off The Ground
If you can’t bring yourself to throw away your Jade plant or Aloe Vera, why not take care of the cat safety, and place it on a spot where it won’t be able to reach it. Consider high shelves or try hanging plants.
How to Keep Your Pet Safe Outdoors
This section of our pet safety tips applies to pets you can take outside for walks or runs. We’ll also cover how to protect your pet when traveling or taking it to the vet.
Carry the Animal in a Secure Cage
It’s the golden rule of any pet safety guide, no matter the animal. When you leave home with your furry companion, cage it securely, whether it’s docile or not. Remember that you won’t have any control over its temperament once you’re outside.
It’s still an animal, so you can’t predict its reaction to unfamiliar territory. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Put Your Pet on a Leash
Leash training, it’s one of the essential dog safety tips to protect your pet and everyone around. Your furry pal must be on a leash whenever you’re in a public space. If your dog is a natural protector, it’ll go on the defensive as soon as they sense any danger.
The leash is a way for you to maintain control over your pet. That said, some places, like dog parks, are a great option to let your dog run free without worrying about the consequences.
Keep an Eye on Your Pet Around Water
Dogs are a pretty great company for the beach, a walk around the lake, or even a swim. But at the same time, water is a massive danger to your pet as they might drown. Sure, dogs are great swimmers, but you should still keep an eye on them while they’re in the water.
Lastly, never let your dog swim alone.
Animal Safety Tips While Traveling
Some of the advice for the outdoors also applies to traveling. Here are more pet safety tips for going on adventures with your four-legged friend:
Prepare and Bring Your Pet’s Food
When you go on a long trip that might take hours, always carry your pet’s meal with you. Most travelers usually forget this and hope to find some suitable food along the way. But what if you don’t? Will you let your pet starve?
Be sure to carry the food your pet likes. Don’t forget to include treats that will nourish your animal companion. Also, never forget water. Pets such as dogs need hydration, too, especially if it’s hot outside.
Keep Your Pet Entertained
Take your pet’s favorite toys with you. It’ll ensure that it won’t be bored and get into mischief. Sure, your furry pal might not use it during the whole journey, but it’ll give them a sense of familiarity and keep them calm.
Update Your Pet’s ID Tags
One of the crucial pet travel safety tips for every owner is to check the animal’s identity tag. It must contain:
- Your pet’s name
- Address
- Phone number
- Any medical conditions the pet might have
For instance, if your pet is diabetic, that should be clear on the tag.
Thanks to modern technology, pet safety has gone a long way. We now have advanced tags, called microchips. They’re programmable inserts that contain all vital pet information, such as their breed, year of birth, medical conditions, and the owner’s contacts.
Better yet, microchips can be used as trackers. If your pet wanders off somewhere, you can easily track it. Otherwise, the old-fashioned pet tag will help the person who finds your dog to reach you.
Carry Your Pet’s Medication
While we are on the topic of pet care on the road, it’s mandatory to carry your pet’s medication if they have any. You can never be sure that you’ll find the same medication wherever you are going.
Take Break on the Road
Dog safety in the car dictates that you frequently make stops, so your pet can relieve itself and get some exercise. Take a break at least every two hours. You can also use this time to feed your animal companion and give it water.
Following the standard pet safety in cars, ensure it has enough air, and never place it inside the trunk. It’s a good idea to leave the window slightly ajar or turn on the air circulation system.
What Are the Holiday Pet Safety Tips?
These are a few things to consider when going on a vacation with your lovely pet, especially if it’s a dog.
Find A Pet-friendly Hotel
Is the fantastic hotel you picked pet-friendly? Get an answer before hitting the road.
Some hotels have strict policies that don’t allow pet accommodation. At the same time, others are open to having animals running around the place. All in all, one of the essential holiday safety tips for pets is to call beforehand and find out if your furry friend is a welcomed guest.
Don’t Leave Your Pet Alone for Too Long
You might have to leave your pet inside the hotel room to hit the town, but don’t go for too long. Holiday hazards for pets include depression from being left alone for long periods.
Remember that the room is alien territory for your pet. Leaving it alone for hours may make your furry pal impatient, hysterical, and prone to barking.
Know the Climate
Research your destination climate to find out what clothes to pack and ensure the safety of your pet. For example, read both winter and pet summer safety tips to ensure you take good care of it.
Also, you’ll need to know how to best feed and keep your furry friend hydrated. As a general rule, dogs in hot weather will need water more often. Even so, animal safety tips on feeding and clothing vary from season to season.
Keep Harmful Items Out of Reach
When pets are in new surroundings, they instinctively become inquisitive and try to figure out every unfamiliar corner.
That said, they’ll try to bite, scratch, or eat anything that looks interesting. Unfortunately, some of these objects may be harmful. Try to remove them as soon as you get into the hotel room.
Our pet safety guide urges you to hide all the candies, soaps, shower gels, plants, and sharp objects.
Protect Your Pet From Noise
Are you traveling for Christmas and New Year’s? Do you know that all the holiday noise can be unsettling for your pet, especially the fireworks? They’re lovely to look at but incredibly loud. And such noises can make your dog go into a hysterical frenzy.
To avoid this, put your pet in a secure, escape-free place. They might still howl, bark, and make nervous sounds, but at least you’ll be sure they won’t harm themselves in the process.
Check the Decorations
Around the holidays, decorations are everywhere — candles, lights, Christmas trees, and hanging decor. Unfortunately, these pretty details are also among the holiday hazards for pets.
Here’s what you can do in such cases:
- Don’t burn the candles or keep them out of reach to avoid fire outbreaks.
- Keep the light cords, batteries, and glass decorations at a safe distance.
- Anchor the Christmas tree firmly to prevent it from falling over your pet.
Kids And Pets Safety Rules
Children and pets have one thing in common — both require extra attention. That said, here are a few rules to ensure their safety, whether at home, traveling, or on holiday:
- Always be present when your child and dog are playing.
- Teach your kids to be kind to your pet by doing so yourself.
- Include the kids in the general dog care routine so they can get used to it. You can let them join the fun when bathing the dog or taking it out for walks.
Take Away
Thanks to our detailed pet safety tips, you now know how to take better care of your pet.
When you head outside, remember to keep your pet in a secure cage or on a leash. Also, keep an eye on your animal companion so that it doesn’t swallow any random dangerous objects.
Remember that the pet safety guide rules depend on where you are, but all of them include pet-proofing your surroundings and checking for potential threats.
Keep taking care of your lovely pet and surround it with all the love it deserves.
