The end of summer is fast approaching and that means that we’ll be changing over from shorts to pants, pulling out the fall and winter bed spreads, and doing things around the house to prepare for colder weather. Some household items can be dangerous to our pets but if we’re careful, we can avoid unintentionally harming them.
Here’s 6 tips for keeping our four-legged friends safe and happy:
1: If you use any type of rodenticide to keep unwanted furry critters from taking up residence in your house, be aware that the poisons are also highly toxic to your pet. Place them in areas that are inaccessible to your pet and if possible, try to find and repair any areas of the house where mice and other unwanted guests may be using as their private entrance to your kitchen.
2: School days are here and if you have kids in the house or are a teacher, you may have a number of items that dogs may find irresistible to chew on. Things like glue sticks, magic markers, and other supplies are low-toxic but can be harmful to a dog’s intestinal system. If your dog has a love for eating things they shouldn’t, keep the school supplies out of paw’s reach.
3: Fall is the perfect time to start a good exercise routine with your dog. Now that the days are cooler, you and your dog can spend some more time outdoors. If the summer months have been cruel, such as in NYC, now is the time to start taking those long walks and playing frisbee in the dog park again.
4: Be careful of snakes. Fall is when some snakes begin their hibernation and may be particularly hostile towards anyone bugging them. Find out what snakes live in your area, if they’re venomous, and where they are likely to be found so you can keep your pets away from them.
5: Many people begin winterizing their cars in the Fall. Be careful of the toxic chemicals such as coolants that you may have in your garage. If there are any spills, clean them up as best you can. Your four-legged friend could end up ingesting some if they step in it.
6: Cooler weather means your pet may start burning up more energy as they zoom around. Monitor your dog or cat’s activities and see if they need a little extra ‘noms’ to keep their weight in check.