Originally published February 2 2006
Veterinarians offer advice on how to pet-proof the house
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Dr. John Sheppard, a veterinary consult for PetProTech pet safety products, discusses the risks most households pose to new pets, including outdoor dangers and food hazards.
After months of searching, you've finally chosen the perfect pet.
While most pet owners are familiar with potential poisonous hazards, such as chocolate and anti-freeze, many probably don't know that grapes and raisins can be deadly for dogs, and that almost all lilies can be toxic for cats.
Dr. John Sheppard, a veterinary consult for PetProTech pet safety products, says the most common pet emergencies veterinarians see are fractures, intestinal blockage, ingestion of household chemicals, lacerations and soft-tissue trauma --- all of which can result from accidents at home.
"The little things that kids can get themselves in trouble with are the same for a puppy or new animal," said Dana Farbman of the ASPCA Poison Control Center in Urbana, Ill.
If you have to use them, make sure to keep animals away from a freshly fertilized lawn for at least 24 hours.
� Wipe up spills of anti-freeze, gasoline, oil, fertilizers, insecticides or cement mix.
� Cat owners should be especially careful before starting a car.
Cats love warm places and sometimes will crawl inside the engine.
Bang on the hood of the car before starting it.
� Dog owners should make sure that backyard fences are strong and that gate latches work.
� If you have a cat and a dog, keep their food dishes in separate areas.
� Discard any household plant that could be toxic.
Common ones include azaleas, lilies, morning glories, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and irises.
Also be aware of plants with thorns, since they can cause eye injuries.
Even vitamins pose a potential health hazard.
� Use safety latches to secure all cabinets and trash cans that contain food or cleaning products.
Secure your windows by repairing torn screens and reinforcing the molding on wooden window frames and the spline on metal ones.
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