by Loree Walden, Marketing Manager, Yavapai Humane Society
Our homes, gardens and yards are full of items that are potentially hazardous to our four-legged family members. It is our responsibility to keep them safe.
As we prepare for the warmer summer months ahead it’s a good time to look around our homes and do a little safety check.
Synthetic chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and certain mulches all contain ingredients that can make your pet very sick, or worse.
There also are a variety of plants and flowers that are toxic for your pets. A few of them include lilies, lily of the valley, oleander, foxglove, sago palms, azaleas, rhododendrons, tulips, English ivy, hibiscus and hydrangea.
A complete list can be found online at pets.webmd.com.
Little things laying around your home like coins, batteries, jewelry, paper clips, rubber bands, buttons, string and more seem harmless to us, but they could become a choking hazard to your pets.
Plastic grocery bags easily can become a suffocation hazard to those curious cats who love to climb in them and play (I can’t tell you how many times my cat Pooh Bear has gotten himself tangled up in one while I’m unloading groceries).
Medications, cleaning supplies, plant food and other things found in cabinets could also be potentially fatal. I had to baby proof my cabinets, because my cats have figured out how to open every cabinet in my apartment!
The garbage can is another danger, as it could contain something that smells good to your pet but in reality, isn’t good for them at all.
Electrical cords should be kept where they can’t get to them, perhaps behind furniture or taped to the walls, as too many times we’ve heard of them biting through and ending up with an electrical jolt or worse.
There also are a number of foods that can make your pet sick. You can find a complete list of foods that can sicken your pets at pets.webmd.com and other pet care websites.
Animals give us so much, including their unconditional love. In exchange, it’s our job to take care of them, love them and make sure no harm comes to them. The investment in time you take to make sure your home and garden are safe is nothing compared to the benefits you’ll receive from your furry family member.
