How to Make a House a Better Place for Animals

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Check your yard for poisonous plants. Make your house safe for your pet by identifying which plants may harm him. Many common plants and shrubs are fatal if ingested by animals. Sago palms, oleanders, mistletoes, azaleas, poinsettias and Easter lilies are very common offenders. Remove the plants from your yard or gate them off to prevent your pet from coming into contact with them.
Step 2:
Remove all pest poisons. If you use roach traps, ant baits, rat bats or slug baits, get rid of them or put them out of your pet's reach. Most of these baits use sweetening agents to attract pests. They might attract your puppy, kitten or rabbit as well.
Step 3:
Lock up your cleaning products or switch to safer, non-toxic varieties. Make your house better for animals by restricting their access to potentially fatal chemicals. If you do use unsafe cleaning products, do not allow your animal to access areas that are recently cleaned. Your pet may lick the remaining chemicals and suffer serious side effects.
Step 4:
Relocate your candy bowl. It is just too tempting to your pet's sweet tooth. Chocolate, even in small amounts, can have potentially devastating effects on a puppy or kitten. Put your candy bowl behind locked cabinet doors or up high and out of your new pet's access.
Step 5:
Identify other common hazards. Some known dangers include: pennies, mothballs, potpourri oils, dryer sheets, batteries, play dough, cigarettes, coffee grounds, caffeinated drinks, alcoholic drinks, anti-freeze, gasoline and motor oil. Use the ASPCA website to help you identify dangers room by room.
Step 6:
Invest in a secure cage to have a safe place to put them while you are away. If you plan to be away for a few hours, make sure your pet is in a safe place. Pet snakes and rodents are known escape artists. Check for tiny openings in their cages. Ensure that your puppy or kitten's crate is safely locked.

Tips & Warnings

Be aware of things you put in the trash can. Careless disposing of medications, cleaning products and even spoiled food can be very harmful to your curious pets.
Talk to your vet about which herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides are safest to use. Never allow your pets access to your yard until these products are completely dry.

Resources

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