Pet-Proofing Tips from Our Durham
& Chapel Hill Veterinarian

If you have ever had small children in your home, you are familiar with concept of "child-proofing" or "baby-proofing" the environment to make it safe for the little ones. Well, if your little ones include pets, then you must think about "pet-proofing" as well. Here are a few simple things you can do to prevent emergency trips to the veterinary hospital.

Clean safely. Cats love enclosed spaces, particularly the inside of a nice warm dryer. Keep your washer and dryer lids closed at all times, and watch out when you are loading these appliances so Kitty does not decide to join your laundry. The "Closed lid" rule also applies to toilet seats, trash bins, medicine cabinet doors and any other area that could spell trouble for pets.

Create a safe living area. If you sew or knit, keep your needle, string or thread out of paw's reach. Pets may also be tempted to chew on wires, so make sure you secure all your home theater cabling or other electronic wiring to prevent electrocution or choking. Anything that can be knocked over can fall on a pet and injure it, so decorate with that thought in mind. And some common decorative plants can prove toxic to animals, so move them out of the way.

Pet-proof the bedroom. Walk-in closets contain clothes with buttons, drawstrings and other possible choking hazards, so keep the door shut. This will also prevent cats from trying to climb to the top of the closet. Keep drawers closed to inquisitive kittens or puppies. Finally, keep your night table free of makeup, hair rubberbands, medications or skin care products that could prompt a trip to the veterinarian.

Our Veterinary Hospital Is Standing By

No one can anticipate every possibility. If your Durham or Chapel Hill pet does get into something or get injured, call us at New Hope Animal Hospital and we will do everything possible to help, including animal surgery if need be. In the meantime, a pet-proof home is a safer home!

Does your pet have a special affinity for the dryer, closet, etc?