50 THE QUEENS COURIER • PETS • APRIL 19, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Tips to Pet Proof Your Home
Tip #1: Check for Hazards
Your first step, according to Dr. Verdino: Start by
getting down on your hands and knees so you can
view each room from your pet’s eye level. Of course,
most animals can find a way to get into higher places,
but surveying their world from ground level might alert
you to unseen hazards like candy wrappers, coins,
dropped pills and game pieces.
Puppies and kittens love to chew everything in sight, so
keep electrical wires, dangling blind cords and all sharp
objects out of reach, Dr. Verdino adds.
Tip #2: Avoid Toxic Foods
While most people have heard that chocolate is a
no-no for pets (it’s true), other foods to avoid include
onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, Xylitol (in sugar free
gums), Macadamia nuts, coffee grounds and alcohol.
Cigarettes are also bad for pets (no surprise), and
though they’re not likely to smoke them, they could be
tempted to eat them.
Dogs and cats are curious by nature. That’s
why it’s so important that you make sure
you pet proof your home before bringing a
new family member into your house.
Dr. Mark Verdino, Sr. VP and Chief of
Veterinary Staff at North Shore Animal
League America, advises taking a “wholehouse”
approach. “There are potential
dangers to your pet in every room, but
you can keep them safe with some careful
planning,” he says.
Tips #3: Lock up Toxic Substances
Many common household products contain chemicals
and other toxic substances. As you would for children,
lock these materials away from your pets:
• Pesticides
• Antifreeze
• Rat, mouse and insect poisons
• Mothballs
• Fabric softener sheets
• Medications (both prescription and over-the-counter)
• Cosmetics
• Potpourri oils
• Batteries
• Paints, glues and varnishes
Tip #4: Check for Poisonous Plants
Even certain household plants can be hazardous if
ingested. Some of the more common ones to avoid:
• Aloe vera
• Boston ivy
• Poinsettia
• Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
• Peace or Easter lily
• English and German ivy
• India rubber plant
• Mistletoe
• Philodendron
• Chrysanthemum
Tip #5: Keep a Medical Kit Handy
Finally, be sure to keep a medical kit handy in case your
pets have an accident, and call your vet immediately if
you suspect they’ve been injured or exposed to a toxic
material.
Submitted by North Shore Animal League America. To
learn more about keeping your pet safe and healthy at
all times, visit animalleague.org.