First Time Pet Owner? Be Safe!

New pet owners can be forgiven for underestimating the challenges they may face.

Most of us have been around pets enough that it’s not a huge undertaking to provide a safe environment for a new cat, dog, bird or other new “house mate.” But there are a lot of potential threats, too. Each year, a few unfortunate owners find that out the hard way.

Take A Minute

First, pets bring some risk factors that are easy to forget. In fact, some of the traits that make them adorable are sometimes what can get them into trouble.

Cats are curious about almost everything and kittens doubly so. But while crawling into an empty box is fun for the cat and you, crawling into a plastic bag may not be because of the risk of suffocation. Same with a dangling string versus a dangling electrical wire. The cat is unlikely to bite through to electrical wire, but it could pull the lamp off the table.

Food Frustrations

Dogs are especially known for eating or chewing anything in reach. That’s fine if it’s a chunk of meatloaf that drops on the floor, a boney chicken leg, not so much. Like fish bones, chicken bones can be deadly to a pet that gets one of the bones stuck in its throat. Some foods, like chocolate, are bad, even dangerous for dogs.

Birds can be especially fragile. Putting a cage too close to a fan or air duct outlet can cause a serious, even fatal chill. Using strong cleaners or disinfectants can be like poison gas for some feathered friends.

Be Smarter Than Your Pet

Part of the challenge is that one pet can sail through these obstacles without a scratch, while the next pet might not make it to a veterinarian. A certain amount of judgement can be used, and getting to know your pet helps, too. But because there are so many potential problems, it’s smart to put a little thought into preventing what could be a serious problem.

One thing that helps is to look at a list of potential pet dangers, especially one that fits your pet. There are many online, but one to get you started is at America Humane. Be safe!