Tag Archives: pet safety

Outdoor Pet Safety

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First and foremost, don’t let your pets roam the neighborhood! They are at risk for being hit by a car, getting attacked by another animal, and more. Walk your dog on a leash and/or exercise your pets in a fenced yard. Make sure your fence is sturdy and there are no holes through which your pets can escape. Make sure your fence is high enough to keep your pet from jumping or climbing out. An electric fence may keep your dog in but won’t keep other animals out. Don’t chain or tie your pets outside without supervision. An unsupervised pet … Continue reading →

Indoor Pet Safety

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Keep your pet away from machinery like sewing machines or workshop power tools. A nose, paw, or tail can get seriously injured! Make sure your home office is safe. Keep staplers, scissors, and letter openers out of your pet’s reach. Store anything dangerous to pets (or kids) in a drawer or cabinet. Don’t leave your paper shredder on automatic! Check appliances before using them. A pet may crawl into the dishwasher to lick leftovers from plates or into the dryer for warmth. Don’t leave the kitchen while you’re cooking. A curious paw could get burned on cooking food; an errant … Continue reading →

Cocoa Mulch Warning

The next time you’re shopping for garden supplies, you may notice something called Cocoa Mulch. The good thing is that Cocoa Mulch smells like chocolate! The bad thing is that it can be dangerous to your pets. Veterinarians say that cats are less likely than dogs to eat the cocoa-scented mulch, but the product can (in extreme cases) be dangerous for both dogs and cats. The problem ingredient in Cocoa Mulch is the same thing that makes your dog or cat sick if they eat chocolate — theobromine. Theobromine is a caffeine-like chemical found most strongly in dark chocolate and … Continue reading →

Dogs In The Snow

Seeing how winter “officially” started on December 21st – even though we already had snow TWICE here in New Jersey – I thought it would be a good time to talk about dogs and snow. Just like people, some dogs love snow, some dogs hate snow, and some just find it inconvenient. When you’re clearing your sidewalks and driveways, keep in mind that some common ice solutions (lime rock salt, calcium chloride salt) can make your dog or cat sick if they lick it off their paws or coat. It’s always a good idea to read the labels on any … Continue reading →

Holiday Pet Safety

Tis the season for your pets to explore all the interesting things us humans call “decorations”! But let’s talk about food, first. Just like overindulging at the holidays isn’t exactly healthy for people, it’s not great for pets, either. In my family, the dogs know who the softies are. My grandmother usually has a devoted follower or two. Uncle Ed usually has at least one dog parked at his side, taking advantage of just about everything on his plate. And I’m willing to admit that I am a total sucker when it comes to the chin-on-the-knee trick. The dogs know … Continue reading →