Your dog is your best friend and a much-loved family member, o it is only natural that you are going to want to do everything you can to protect him from harm. Unfortunately, many pet owners are simply not aware of many of the hidden dangers that could be lurking in their homes, and which may be harmless to them, but potentially very harmful to their dogs, so let’s take a look at some of them right now.
Cleaning products
We all want to keep our homes clean and fresh so most of us use a wide range of cleaning products to keep everything from the carpets and our furniture to the dog’s bed as clean as possible, This could pose a problem, You see many commercially available cleaning products contain ingredients that could be harmful to dogs. That’s why you should always look for non-toxic cleaning products, or even better, make your own using baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and water. It’s also why you should lock any cleaning product you do buy safely away where children and dogs can’t find them.
Inferior dog products
Unfortunately, even many of the items we buy for our dogs that have been designed for them can pose a health hazard. Cheap dog toys, bedding, and even collars and leads can often be poorly crafted which means they can fall apart and cause a choking hazard to our dogs or leave them vulnerable to escape, for example. One way to mitigate against this is by purchasing the best dog beds, toys, and accessories you can afford, and testing them for durability before you give them to your pet. Reading reviews before buying would also be sensible, as would removing any dog accessories from your pet’s reach if they show signs of falling apart in any way that could pose a danger.
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Plants and trees
Most of us have plants and trees in our homes and gardens, which is great for the environment and good for us, but they can pose a danger to our pets. Many plants, fruits, and flowers can be toxic to dogs who decide to eat them, which is why you should always check a list of safe plants and flowers before planting. Bringing them into your home, If that is not possible, you should fence off areas that have dangerous plants in them or ensure your dog does not have access to rooms they are kept in.
Household waste
Household waste contains all manner of bacteria, not to mention chemicals and food scraps that could potentially poison your dog, but as you will probably know, many dogs love rifling through trashcans to see what tasty treats they can find. That’s why, ideally, you should keep trashcans outdoors or in an area your dog can not access, and if that is not possible you should consider buying a lockable model and ensuring that it is always locked.
If you can avoid these, and any other, hidden dangers in your home, your dog will be much happier, healthier, and safer, and you will need fewer visits to the vet!
Image by PicsbyFran