5 Ways to Pet Proof Your Huntsville Home

1. Inspect your yard. As your dog or cat walks through your yard, harmful chemicals from pesticides, herbicides and fungicides can adhere to their fur and get on their paws. Once inside your Huntsville home, your pets will lick their feet and legs clean. This licking causes them to ingest many harmful chemicals. Keep pets away from the yard if you've recently applied chemicals to it, and be sure to follow manufacturer's recommendations. Better yet, switch to pet safe yard products or a natural yard that doesn't require chemicals at all.


2. Examine your garage. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that attracts animals and is deadly if consumed in even small quantities. Just one teaspoon can kill a seven-pound cat. Switch to a safer antifreeze. Look for antifreeze that contains propylene glycol, which won't harm animals if ingested in small amounts.


3. Secure items. Your pet is curious. Take the time to place medicines, cleaning solutions, and chemicals out of their way. Make sure they cannot open cupboards and cabinets. You may want to install cupboard latches and cover electrical outlets, if you have a smart pet that's good at opening things.
   


4. Guard your food items. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats. While you're busy, your pets may be rummaging through the kitchen and eating whatever they find.


5. Beware of breakage. Broken light bulbs present a danger to pets of all sizes. Glass from a broken bulb may be stepped on, swallowed or inhaled. Ethylene glycol, the dangerous yet sweet tasting ingredient in many antifreeze products, can also be found in common household items like snow globes. The ethylene glycol may spill out if the snow globe cracks or breaks. Keep animals away from broken objects, thoroughly clean up the broken bits and safely dispose of them.