Is Your Home Hazardous to Your Pet?

By Mark Wright

(Mark wrote this article for Animal Chatter Magazine; published in Jan/Feb 2005 issue.)

In a separation anxiety-fueled frenzy, little Lab mix Kerry smelled freedom through a half-open window in her Kensington, Maryland home. She vaulted from floor to bed to window opening, then rocketed right through the screen to the fresh air beyond.

Luckily for Super Dog, her flight started from the first floor. Any higher and the story could have ended in tragedy.

And tragedies can happen, notes Linda Davies, co-owner of Potomac Pet Sitters in Potomac, Maryland. "I know one woman who lost her cat when it fell from her fourth-story deck."

Who would have thought something like a well-screened, partially open window...or even a deck...would pose a pet safety hazard? But that's the problem: Homes are built for people, not pets.

So what can you do to prevent a pet catastrophe in your home? Try walking in your pet's, uh, shoes. The broader your pet's "territory," the more checking you'll need to do.

Let's start outside. Take a quick inventory of the "Three Ps" -- poisons, predators, and points of exit -- lurking around your home.

• Poisons: Anything designed to kill pests can potentially kill pets: rat poison, certain pesticides and insecticides. Then there are less obvious hazards: pool/spa chemicals, cleaning solutions, solvents, antifreeze, fuels and lubricants, to name a few. Mother Nature has her own collection of poisonous plants that pets should avoid, from Azaleas to Weeping Figs. (Check out an online list at http://www.petsit.com/petowners/puppycare.asp.)

• Predators: To you, your cat looks furry, cuddly and cute. To a coyote, a fox or a hawk, your cat looks, well, finger licking good. Know what creatures frequent your neighborhood in search of food -- and be prepared for some surprises.

• Points of exit: If your pet's adventurous spirit tempts her to seek escape from the confines of your back yard, think "over," "under," and "through." Fencing is obvious, but can she still jump or climb over it, wriggle through it, burrow under it -- or get trapped in it? (Use a secured leash? Be sure the leash isn't just long enough to become a noose if she still manages to get over a fence.) Davies recommends locking your gates so meter readers or other visitors don't inadvertently leave them open.

Inside your home, check every room your pet can access for hazards. Think in terms of your pet's senses -- sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing -- to identify tasty, toasty, or toy-like temptations.

Some are obvious. For example:

• Electrical cords and other wires/cables can look inviting to a teething puppy or curious kitty. In addition to the obvious risk of shock to your pet, however, entanglement or a few innocent yanks can bring a TV, computer monitor, or other appliance crashing down.
• Pet-level protrusions or sharp objects can cause injuries.
• Open windows, even when screened, are potential escape routes (remember Kerry).
• Space heaters and fireplaces should be off limits to your pet. Turn off space heaters when you are out of the room. Close chimney flues to keep out climbing or flying pets, and close fireplace gates/screens after every use.

Unexpected hazards deserve your attention, too. Holly Cook, named 2004 Pet Sitter of the Year by Pet Sitters International (www.petsit.com), has come across some unusual safety snafus.

• She knows of two dogs whose collar tags got snagged in a heating vent on the floor. (Talk about being on a short leash!)
• She also warns of dogs that like to eat kitty "tootsie rolls" out of litter boxes. "Dogs can get intestinal parasites and other problems from doing that," Holly notes. (Yuck!)
• Don't overfeed fish -- it can be fatal.
• Protect reptiles from getting cold. Maintaining their proper body temperature -- a challenge in winter weather -- is vital.
• Keep reptiles separate from other pets, because many reptiles carry salmonella. For the same reason, make sure everyone in the house washes their hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling reptiles.
• Don't let pets drink Christmas tree water or eat Poinsettia plants -- both popular items...but hidden hazards...at this time of year.
• Keep dogs from slurping up water from puddles in the road or on sidewalks or driveways, because the puddles contain runoff from vehicles (including oil and other chemicals).

Speaking of slurping, do you like to add a little liquid warmth to your Irish Coffee on a cold winter's night? Don't let any furry friends get at it. Alcoholic beverages are poisonous to pets, and can result in "vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, acidosis, coma and even death," according to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Linda Davies suggests restricting places pets can go when you're not home -- especially for puppies. "I highly recommend crate training for puppies, so they don't get splinters from chewing wood, or eat something like a plant that will disagree with their stomach," she says. "Stairs can also be a problem for some animals, so keep doors to stairways closed. Think of pets as babies."

Finally, one of the biggest hazards can be lack of communication. Let people know about your pets. Affix emergency rescue decals near outside doors and windows alerting the fire department: "In case of fire, please rescue my dog!" or similar messages about other types of pets. This little, inexpensive step can make the difference between a property disaster...and the tragic loss of an important member of your family.

Resources & Contacts

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Open for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
888-426-4435; $50 consultation fee may apply.

Emergency Rescue Decals
Available at www.petsmart.com and other pet supply sources.

The Humane Society of the United States
www.hsus.org

Potomac Pet Sitters - Bob & Linda Davies
301-983-4262; www.potomacpets.com

Pet Sitters International
Find one of their 6,500 members near you by entering your zip code at www.petsit.com.

Your Complete Puppy Care Manual
By "puppy guru" and pet sitter Holly Cook
$12.95; 810-364-1194; www.specialpetcareservices.com

Mark Wright is a freelance writer based in Rockville, Maryland. Find details about his services at www.markwright.com. Copyright © 2003-2005 by Mark Wright Communications LLC. All rights reserved.

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