Many of us want a new pet, but we may forget that we also
have to pet proof our homes. It's easy to get caught up in purchasing a pet and
getting supplies or toys. Here is some helpful advice on pet proofing for
various pets.
For our four
legged friends, it is recommended to do an All Fours Inspection.
Try to get into the mindset and think like your pet to get a
sense of what might be dangerous to them. The best way to start this is by
taking "a pets’ eye-view" of things. You have to put yourself in your
pet's place—and get down on all fours—to take a look around. Make sure you
inspect areas that your pet can access by way of climbing or jumping as well.
You may be very surprised at the dangers that a periodic inspection of your
home can reveal.
Here are some
hazards to look for during your All Fours Inspection:
•Look for any choking, strangulation, electrocution, and
suffocation hazards. Keep window cords short or tied up away from the floor
area. Try to unplug or cover wires and electrical cords that may be easily
found and chewed on.
•Don't leave human foods or medications where pets could get
to them. Eliminate "steps" that curious pets can climb to access
elevated areas like countertops and tabletops. Discard or close off access to
perishable trash daily to keep pets from rummaging through it.
Some helpful tips for trash are as follows: To keep trash
odors low use baking soda and a tight-fitting lid. Perhaps have a trash can
with a foot pedal.
•Make sure any indoor plants are varieties that are
pet-safe. If you need info about safe houseplants for pets, please go to
ASPCA's database of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants.
•Pets can often learn to open low cupboards. Consider
latching them shut. Keep rooms where dangerous items may be off limits to your
pet.
•If you have an outdoor pet beware of things like antifreeze
or other toxic substances used on vehicles or homes. drop. Keep these items
stored in a latched cabinet or on a high shelf, and use it carefully, cleaning
up any drips or spills immediately.
•Keep your toilet lid down, especially if you use automatic
bowl cleaners, to eliminate risk of poisoning. Keeping the lid down also
eliminates a drowning hazard.
•Cats and windows can be hazardous. If you open windows,
make sure that screens are sturdy and properly installed. Window guards are not
adequate protection for cats, who can easily fit through the bars. Always keep
an eye on your cat when it is near an open window.
Making Space
Some animals will sneak into an opened dryer (or other
small, dangerous places) the first chance they get. It is important to give
them their own space and you won't have to worry about them seeking refuge
where they don't belong. A hazard-free zone, should include a cozy bed or hide,
water source, and safe toys to play with.
Other things to consider are a sink to wash feeding bowls,
and adequate storage for accessories.
Remember that well-exercised pets are less likely to get
into trouble, and more likely to rest well at night instead of asking for
attention. (Unless they are nocturnal animals) If it's possible try to create a
pet area in an extra room or back door area. You could include a pet door to
access a fenced-in yard, corral, or animal run so that they can head outdoors
at their leisure.
Litter boxes should be placed away from feeding areas and in
a place that are more private, but not too isolated. If your pet doesn't feel safe
or comfortable using a litter box, then it won't.
If you're not home for most of the day due to work, you may
have some other concerns:
Consider a pet fountain or refilling water bowl so
that fresh water is readily available. Leave your pet with an item of clothing
you no longer need but have worn so that they have your scent with them when you’re
not around. Have sturdy toys that won't break to reveal small parts.
Interactive treat toys made of high-impact plastic will keep your pets occupied
and stay in one piece. If your pet is especially curious, consider crate
training him or blocking off a small, safe area with a baby gate.
If you have an older pet here are some tips. Elderly pets
should be given an area on the ground level, and pet pads should be accessible
in case of accidents. Consider placement of ramps to furniture if you allow
your elderly pet on them.
Pet Safe Flooring
and Fabrics
Try to use fabrics and flooring materials that are Stylish
yet easy to clean. Such as easy-care leather or ultra suede can be wiped clean
and won't be dramatically affected by wear. Crypton Super Fabric is a synthetic
germ- and stain-resistant option made with pet owners in mind. It's available
in a variety of custom colors and patterns and the Crypton online store offers
couture pet beds, "Throver" furniture covers, and decorative pillows.
Honestly, carpet isn't the best choice for pet owners, but
if you must go wall-to-wall, choose a color that matches your pet (it'll mask
pet hair) with a performance rating of 3.5 or higher. For lightweight dogs,
hardwood with adequate urethane finish is a common and easy-clean choice. For
heavier dogs, ceramic tile or another nonporous hard surface flooring would be
best. Here are some other Pet-Friendly Flooring ideas
Clean Living
Groom your pet often and you'll also spend less time
cleaning house.
Regular nail clipping keeps scratch damage down, while
regular brushing keeps hair in the brush instead of everywhere else. Brush
before and after a wash to keep drain-clogging hair to a minimum. Vacuum at
least twice a week. Some vacuums are made specifically for animal hair (such as
the DC17 Animal Vac by Dyson) and designed especially for homes with pets.
If your pet has an accident on the furniture or carpet,
you'll have to become a master at stain removal and disinfecting. Monitor your
pet so accidents can be handled promptly. The longer a stain sits, the harder
it'll be to remove, and your pet will be more likely to sniff out the same spot
for a repeat offense. Look for special cleaning products with natural enzymes
to break down stains and odors. Finally, pay attention to flea and tick
prevention and control. If the pests are on your pet, then odds are flea eggs,
pupae, and larvae are in your carpeting, bedding, and yard. Treat your home,
yard & pet at the same time to prevent re-infestation.
Feeding Time
When buying pet food, you have to store it appropriately to
avoid contamination and slow the vitamin and nutrient degradation process. First
always check for tears in food packages before you buy them. Assign a clean scoop
or small container for scooping. Leftover wet food to be refrigerated and dry
food should be stored in its original bag, then placed in a clean, food-grade
plastic container, and stored at 80 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Placing the bag
in a container will also keep unwanted insects and rodents away.
Storing bulk food in large trash cans in the garage is a
fairly common practice, but this exposes food to temperature extremes in a
container that can leach dyes and additives into food over time. Make sure you
purchase the proper pet food storage container.
The Yard
If you let your pets out into the yard, flea and tick
prevention isn't your only concern. You'll have to determine whether you need
to build or add structures, install invisible fences, and identify toxic plants
in your landscape.
Small Animals:
Hamsters
•Tend to be active at night and asleep during the day. For
that reason, you'll want make sure your pet's exercise wheel isn't a squeaky
one.
•Provide at least 2 inches of bedding to allow for normal
burrowing behavior. Use shredded tissue or paper, or clean processed corncob.
Commonly used cedar chips are associated with respiratory and live disease in
rodents.
•Always clean cages and refresh bedding at least once a
week.
•Many hamsters must be kept in cages by themselves after the
age of 10 weeks. Adult females are especially hostile to one another, so do
your homework before you consider housing more than one together.
Guinea Pigs
•Their bodies cannot produce Vitamin C, so you'll have to
supplement it with an appropriate product from your pet supply store.
•Guinea pig's teeth grow constantly, so chew toys are
essential.
Rabbits
•They actually learn litter box habits quickly and easily.
•They also like to chew so they need chew toys as well.
•They may hide in
small, dark spaces for comfort.
•When you allow your pet time out of his cage for exercise,
consider cord protectors, securely cover ducts and vents, and always locate
your pet before sitting down and opening and closing recliners.
Birds
•Cage placement is very important: Keep the cage away from
windows and radiators to protect your bird from drafts and direct exposure to
heat. Many birds prefer to have a safe corner to back into, and if a cage is
placed away from walls or toward the center of a room, it can make your pet
feel insecure. Cage placement away from windows also means your bird won't
always be anxiously guarding itself from "predators".
•In the wild bird’s perch and take cover, so be sure to provide
these opportunities in their cages. Your bird's foot should wrap around
approximately 2/3 of each perch and toes should never meet and overlap.
Irritation, injury, and infection may result if perches are too small.
•Kitchens are a common place for pet-owners to keep their
bird cages. Be aware that birds have very sensitive respiratory systems, and
fumes emitted from overheated nonstick cookware or chemical cleaners could be fatal.
•Do your homework when looking for pet birds: Some species, require
companionship while others will do fine on their own.
Fish
•Though fish are widely considered the most
"disposable" of pets, you can greatly reduce tank mortality by
creating the ideal water conditions for the type of fish you have. Required
temperatures and pH levels depend upon the kind of fish you have. Research the
requirements of your breed and monitor their conditions periodically.
•When adding new fish to your tank, consider the types of
fish you already have. Some species may be aggressive or even attempt to eat
other fish.
Reptiles &
Amphibians
Reptiles tend to have very long life spans. The most common
misconception is that they are easy to care pets that don't require much
attention. The truth is, their habitats require constant monitoring, and they
are among the most hazardous pets to keep in a home. Some things to keep in
mind:
•Salmonella is present in 90% of all exotic reptiles, and
they shed it in their feces. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet
or cleaning its habitat.
•Do your homework to discover your reptile's temperature
requirements. You'll need primary (under tank heaters) and secondary heating
sources (basking lamps) to meet those requirements, and you'll need to check
tank temperature and humidity regularly.
•Be careful not to overheat your pet. Signs you should
adjust your habitat temperature include your pet staying in shaded areas and hiding
from the heat. Lizards may visibly pant like a dog.
Frogs
•The most common habitat for frogs is semi-terrestrial, i.e.
half land, half water.
•Do not use tap water in your habitat, as frogs are very
sensitive to chemicals. Dechlorinate tap water by letting it sit for at least
24 hours before adding it to the tank.
•Don't house multiple frogs together unless they are the
same species and are similar in size. Otherwise, you risk exposing the animals
to toxic counterparts, or species that may attempt to eat the others in your
tank.
•Frogs often ingest small rocks in order to help them digest
the insects they eat. They then will defecate the rocks out.
•It is important to clean the tank & wash the rocks at
least once a week.
Turtles
•They can live up to 25 years or more, and depending on the
species, turtles can range in size from 4 inches to 80 inches. Make sure you
know how big your species can get, and plan the habitat accordingly.
•Turtles like hiding places, so make sure you include them
in the habitat. You can purchase materials from a pet store, or use plants or
driftwood.
•Most turtles need a semi-terrestrial, i.e. half land, half
water habitat.
Tortoise
•They can also live up to 25 years or more, and depending on
the species, can range in size from 8 inches to 5 feet. Make sure you know how
big your species can get, and plan the habitat accordingly.
•They will need a hiding place as well, so make sure you
include them in the habitat.
•The need a dry tank as they do not swim. They do however
need a small water bowl.
Snakes
•Most people believe they must feed live animals to their
snakes. This is a misconception, use pre-killed or frozen prey for it is safer.
Prey shouldn't be wider than the widest part of your snake's body.
•Some species such as large constrictors are to be kept in a
lockable habitat with solid walls and door. These snakes are very intelligent
and can learn to escape out of the enclosure so a good lock is needed.
•If you have a large snake and you let is free roam your
home for exercise be sure to keep an eye on it. These animals are incredibly
fast. Make sure there are no small animals or children around, as they may be
looked at as prey items.
•State permits may be required to keep a snake in your home.
This may depend on species type, check your local laws before you bring a snake
home.
No comments:
Post a Comment