Are you planning on adopting a dog soon? Congratulations! There are few happier times in life than the day you bring your new canine companion home for the first time. The first few days with little Fido may be hectic. One of the numerous items on your agenda? Petproofing. Continue reading for advice from a local South London, ON veterinarian on puppyproofing.

What is Puppyproofing Used For?

Puppyproofing, as the name implies, is similar to childproofing in several aspects. The essential principle remains the same: keep anything you don’t want your child chewing safely out of reach. Both puppies and youngsters are extremely curious and prefer to inspect things by, well, eating them. This can be really harmful. Many things present choking and/or strangling hazards. Others may be poisonous or have the ability to inflict internal damage.

Dogs are quite intelligent, but you can’t expect to succeed by simply explaining to your pet why eating that shoe or remote control is a bad idea. Puppyproofing is a must! 

What Should I Consider When Puppyproofing?

Many things should be considered dangerous for your puppy. That’s a large list, and we can’t possibly cover everything on it. But without further ado, here are the most important issues to address:

Small or Sharp Objects: Anything that could cut or choke Fido should be kept out of paws’ reach. That list includes jewelry; craft kit pieces; small toys; beads; buttons; coins; pens, pencils, and markers; lighters; lipstick; remote controls; batteries; fishing tackle; small toys … the list goes on.

Chemicals: The average household includes up to INSERT chemicals, the most majority of which are unsafe for dogs. Remember that Fido doesn’t have to eat chemicals to get sick. He can absorb them simply by going across a treated area and licking his paws. Cleaning materials, drain openers, detergents, paint, paint thinner, WD-40, art supplies, glue, caulking, and more should be addressed here. Just be safe and store any chemicals in a secure location.

You should also use caution when using lawn and garden products. Fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides are among the most harmful products available. Slug bait, for example, is quite harmful.

Automotive Products: Anything that you might use on a car is also dangerous. Antifreeze is of great relevance here. It is dangerous to pets, yet it has a flavor that many enjoy. Choose pet-safe products and clean up spills immediately. Sand or kitty litter can be used to cover moist areas.

Plants: Plants can make any home feel snug and pleasant, but you must exercise caution if you have a puppy. Many are harmful to Man’s Best Friend. The Sago Palm may be the most dangerous, but it’s not the only threat. Check the ASPCA website here for more information. 

Plastics: Plastic ties, wraps, and bags are choking and strangulation hazards, and are definitely not safe for Fido to eat!

Garbage: The dustbin may not appeal to us, but it might be an exciting treasure hunt for a dog. Unfortunately, waste baskets often contain hazardous substances for dogs, such as bones, can lids, fat trimmings, and wrappers. 

Ropes and Cords: Anything stringy is highly harmful for pets. These are not only choking and strangulation concerns, but they can be fatal if consumed. Strings, ropes, drape ties, threads, fishing line, and ribbon are all dangerous. Move wires out of the way, or treat them with a taste deterrent or use wire-hiding solutions.

What Are Some Puppy Proofing Tips?

No matter how diligently you puppyproof your home, there will always be some room for mischief. We can’t promise your pet won’t get into shenanigans, but we do have a few tips:

• Pick up everything on the floor or within your paws’ reach.
• Avoid storing items where your pet can access them. Books, socks, and other common goods are fair game.
• keep an eye on your pet. When Fido is out of sight and things seem unusually quiet … go check on him.
• Get on your hands and knees to look at the world through Fido’s eye level. You might be surprised by how many things you can see from that perspective!
• Don’t skip petucation. Training should begin right away. It’s never too early to start teaching your pet what is and isn’t appropriate to chew. We’ll go into more detail about dog training in future postings, but we can’t stress enough how important it is to give your dog an excellent petucation.
• Keep Fido Occupied! You can’t blame Man’s Best Friend for getting into mischief when he has nothing else to do. 
• Offer your pet safe, suitable things to chew.  Ask your South London, ON veterinarian for particular guidance on these. Also, never leave your dog unattended with a chew.
• Finally, don’t think you can quit puppyproofing after your pet reaches full size. Adult dogs—and even seniors—continue to cause mischief. Better safe than sorry!

Book An Appointment At Our South London, ON Animal Clinic!

Do you have any queries concerning puppyproofing? Have you lately adopted a puppy? Are you interested in veterinary specials in London? Please do not hesitate to contact us for any of your dog’s veterinarian care needs. As your local South London, ON pet clinic, we are here to assist!