Are you considering adopting a dog soon? Congratulations! The day you bring your new canine companion home for the first time is one of the most adorable and happy moments in life. One of the numerous things you’ll have on your agenda? Petproofing. Read on for puppyproofing advice from a local Haddon Township, NJ veterinarian.
What is the purpose of puppyproofing?
Puppyproofing, as the name suggests, is similar to childproofing in many respects. The essential principle remains the same: keep everything you don’t want your child (or in this case, your dog) chewing on safely out of the way. This is at the end of the day simply a safety precaution. Both puppies and youngsters are naturally curious and like to inspect things by, well, eating them. This may be quite dangerous!
Dogs are quite intelligent, but merely explaining to your pet why eating that shoe or remote control is a bad idea will not get you very far.
What Issues Should I Address When Puppyproofing?
Every dog is different, so you may need to adjust a bit. If your canine pal is obsessed with chewing on cords, but doesn’t bother with your shoes, you’ll want to focus on wires. At the top of the list are small or sharp objects, such as keys, beads, buttons, toys, etc. Personal clothing items are also best kept out of paws’ reach.
Here are some of the other things to address:
Chemicals: Chemicals, such as cleaning materials, drain openers, detergents, paint, paint thinner, WD 40, art supplies, glue, caulking, and more should be addressed in this section. Simply stay careful and keep any chemicals in a secure location.
Lawn/Garden Products: Some of these products, which include Fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides are some of the most harmful compounds available. Slug bait, for example, is exceedingly hazardous.
Automotive Products: Gas, oil, lube, and other related products are definitely not pet-safe. Antifreeze is a major concern here. It is lethal to pets, but has a flavor that many of them like. Choose pet-safe products and immediately clean up any accidents.
Plants: Many are harmful to Man’s Best Friend! Sago palms may pose the most risk, but it isn’t the only concern. Other toxic plants include the Lily; Oleander; Azalea; Amaryllis; Cyclamen; Tulips; Rhododendron; and Daffodils, among others. A complete list of safe and dangerous plants can be found on the ASPCA website here.
Plastics: You usually don’t have to worry too much about larger, more durable objects, but things like ties, wrappers, and bags require extra caution.
Garbage: Fido is not above going through the trash, which may include unsafe items, such as bones, can lids, fat trimmings, wrappers, and more. If your dog is tall enough to reach the trash can, use one with a covered lid.
Ropes And Cords: Anything lengthy or stringy poses a serious risk to pets. These are not only choking and strangulation concerns, but they can be lethal if consumed. Strings, rope, drape ties, thread, fishing line, and ribbon are all dangerous, as are power cords.
No matter how well you puppyproof your home, there will always be some room for mischief. Make it a habit to pick up anything on the floor or within paw’s reach, and think twice about storing items where your pet can reach them. Books, socks, and other common household things are all fair game.
Finally, we cannot stress enough how important it is to keep an eye on your pet. When Fido is out of sight and things seem strangely calm. Your best bet is to go and check.
Ask your Haddon Township, NJ veterinarian for advice on how to train your dog.
Puppyproofing Hack: Keep The Puppy Occupied
You can’t blame Man’s Best Friend for getting into mischief when he doesn’t have anything better to do. You’ll also need to give some chewable materials. You should get guidance from your veterinarian on this, as it may differ from pup to pup and will change as your pet ages.
Rawhide, pigs’ ears, and raw bones are also possible options. As you may be aware, some of them can be dangerous to certain dogs, particularly those who chew heavily. Please see your Haddon Township, NJ vets for detailed guidance on these.
Schedule An Appointment At Our Haddon Township, NJ Animal Clinic!
Have you got any questions concerning puppyproofing? Did you recently adopt a puppy? Please do not hesitate to contact us for all of your puppy’s veterinarian care requirements. As your Haddon Township, NJ neighborhood pet clinic, we’re here to help!
