Protecting your pets from danger may seem like a difficult task. But, there are lots of ways pet parents can prepare for potential hazards and keep their pets safe.
In this article, we’ll cover the essential areas of pet safety, including:
- House safety
- Fire safety
- Travel safety
- Food safety
- Outdoor safety
House safety
There are lots of hazards your pets may encounter in your home. To pet-proof your house, owners should:
1. Put away electrical cords. Electrical cords can be dangerous for pets if they chew them.
2. Get rid of poisonous plants. Not all plants are safe for pets. Check out this list of plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs.
3. Use baby gates to keep pets out of dangerous areas. Gates are helpful if you have openings to areas that may be unsafe for your pup or cat like utility rooms.
Pet fire safety
Fires are common hazards in households everywhere. Parents can be better prepared with these pet fire safety tips.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that pets accidentally start nearly 1,000 home fires each year. To limit the risk of emergency fires and keep your pets and family safe, owners should:
4. Have monitored smoke detectors: Should an emergency fire start while you're away, consider installing smoke detectors that notify nearby firefighters and emergency responders.
5. Extinguish open flames. Dogs and cats are curious animals, so make sure your pets are not left alone around an open flame. If you light a candle, blow out the open flame before leaving them at home.
6. Remove or cover stove knobs. If your stove knobs or power buttons for your cooktop are in reach of your pets, consider covering them to prevent them from accidentally turning on your stove and starting a fire.
7. Invest in flameless candles. Sometimes, owners can be forgetful. Remove the threat of danger by replacing wick-based candles with flameless candles.
8. Place barriers around fireplaces. If you have a fireplace in your home, use a baby gate, crate, or another barrier to keep your pets away. If your pets get too close to the fire for a long period of time, they may suffer from smoke inhalation or burns.
9. Add pets to their emergency fire safety plan. In case of a fire, be sure you have a way to escape your home with your animal. Include your pets in your emergency family fire safety plan and practice taking them with you.
Travel safety
Traveling with your pets doesn't have to be stressful. Parents can keep their pup calm and safe while in the car with essential supplies like extra food, toys, and any medications they take.
Car safety is important for humans traveling with their pets. While traveling, consider these tips:
10. Use a seat belt. Seat belts can help keep your pup secure in the car on short trips. Attach the seat belt through the back of your dog’s harness to keep them secure.
11. Keep pets in a crate or travel carrier. Cats and small pets should travel in a designated crate or carrier to keep them safe while traveling. Keep your pet’s bed or blanket in the crate for comfort.
12. Pack calming treats and toys. Toys can help keep your furry friend entertained while traveling. If you have an anxious cat or pup, calming treats can help keep them comfortable.
13. Bring their essentials. To create a vacation that’s pet-friendly remember to pack your pet’s medications and wellness products. Bring their supplements and dental care to keep them healthy.
If you are traveling without your pets, be sure you find a place for your pets to stay while you’re away. Trusted friends and family members are great options. Or, consider taking your pets to an overnight animal boarding facility.
Food safety
Just because a food is healthy and safe for you, does not mean it is safe for your furry friend. For food safety, parents should:
14. Know which foods are safe for their pet. Not all human foods are safe for your companion. Check out this list of foods and if your dog can eat them.
15. Identify their pet’s allergies. Different allergies and health problems call for special diets. Talk to your veterinarian about getting an allergy test.
16. Keep unsafe foods out of reach. If you have foods in your home that are toxic to pets, keep them stored in a cabinet out of your pet’s reach.
17. Feed their pets a healthy diet. Obesity is a health risk for pets of all species. Help your companion maintain a healthy weight with regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Outdoor safety
In general, there are potential dangers your pets can encounter in their lives. But, there are plenty of ways to protect them and keep them safe. Here are 3 tips to keep your pet safe outdoors:
18. Protect them from pests. Be sure they are protected from pests with a topical flea and tick treatment.
19. Use heartworm prevention. Heartworm prevention keeps your pets protected from heartworm disease, which is spread by infected mosquitoes.
20. Bring a leash while out and about. Leashes help parents protect their pups from potential dangers such as traffic or other animals while walking and hiking.
21. Be mindful of the weather. In the summer, it’s important to keep your dog cool in the heat. Take plenty of water breaks and find shaded areas to stay cool.
Whether you’re at home, traveling, or out and about with your best friend, there are plenty of ways to keep them safe. Pet safety not only keeps pets safe, happy, and healthy, but it also keeps pet parents stress-free.
