Wednesday, June 1, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Paw
Prints
Jodi Schneider McNamee
Columnist
Indoor and outdoor
threats to your pet
Much like human kids,
your pet kids tend to put
everything in their mouths.
Dogs are surprisingly
adept at opening cupboard
doors and drawers. Once
your pet gains access to these
areas, he could consume a
variety of food, medications
or garden supplies that are
poisonous to him.
It’s a dream of a lot of
pet parents to have a place
with a nice fenced-in yard
where their furry friends can
play and explore, but just
because that yard is closed
off doesn’t mean that it
can’t be a dangerous place.
There are potential risks that
every pet parent should be
aware of.
So before Rover heads
out to play in your fenced
yard you should make sure
that it is a safe place for your
furry friend.
Make sure your fence
structure is secure by check-
ing for loose areas around it
that your dog could sneak
through, or get hurt by jag-
ged edges.
Certain breeds are known
for digging under or climb-
ing over fences. No mat-
ter what type of fence you
use, make sure that your
pet always has some form
of identification in case he
does get out of the yard.
Look around the yard for
anything that might entice
your furry pal. If your dog is
a “chewer,” be sure to keep
your garden hose out of the
way.
Another danger can be
growing right in your own
backyard. Many outdoor
plants can make your dog
very sick. Check the ASPCA
website to find out which
plants can be toxic. And the
safest approach is elimina-
tion and to replace them
with non-toxic plants. Also
check your yard regularly
for any mushrooms, toad-
stools, or fungus that may
have started growing, and
remove them immediately,
because they are poisonous
for your pet!
If your dog has access to
the garage, make sure any
dangerous equipment is put
away safely. Don’t let your
pet come in contact with
hazardous chemicals such
as insecticides or antifreeze.
Keep these kinds of mate-
rials locked up in storage
areas.
Another threat in your
own backyard is ticks. They
often wait in tall grasses
before attaching themselves
to dogs or cats. Regular
mowing can help.
Don’t use poisonous
lawn-care chemicals, like
insecticides or fertilizers in
your yard; they are toxic to
your pet.
Every summer there are
tragic stories about dogs
that suffer from heat stroke.
Often what seems like a
tolerable temperature to
us is far too warm for your
dogs. Always provide shade
for your dog when outside.
Dogs should always have a
shady spot to get out of the
sun, like a sturdy dog house.
Keep fresh, cool water avail-
able at all times.
For a pet-friendly envi-
ronment indoors it’s also
important to make sure that
all safety hazards around the
home are addressed before
17
photo by Jodi schneider McnaMee
Autumn loves being outdoors — it’s up to the dog’s person to keep her
safe out there.
allowing your furry friend to
roam free.
Keep dangerous items
in areas that your pet can-
not reach, even if it means
adapting childproof locks on
your cabinets.
A dog has a “superman”
sense of smell and uses it
to see their world. Many
dogs show an avid interest
in kitchen garbage, and who
could blame them? It’s full
of enticing food scraps along
with plenty of bacteria and
toxin-producing molds from
spoiled foods.
Wastepaper baskets in
your bathroom can also draw
attention to your curious
Locally
owned by
a Sisters
family
canine and often contain
hazards like razor blades,
dental floss and expired
medications.
Remove dangerous food
that will make your dog ill
from low counters or tables.
Many types of “people food”
can be deadly to your pet.
Onions, grapes and choco-
late are just a few poisonous
foods that can potentially
harm your dog.
Look around your home
for items that could be a
choking hazard. Anything
small enough for your pup
to chew up and swallow like
shoelaces, socks, children’s
toys and sewing supplies.
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