The health and safety of our pets should be a primary concern for all owners. Still, there are some factors that can be forgotten. The most important place to start is with the basics – food, warmth and shelter – to keep them healthy and happy. From there, you can look at other dangers within the home and yard. Here are some top pet safety tips to get you started.

Providing a safe source of food.

Food safety with our pets is not just about providing the right diet. It is about providing portions in a safe, manageable way. Don’t allow them access to the kibble bag where they might decide to keep eating. This is especially true breeds that can’t control their appetite. Be careful with any food scraps when making meals, especially those bad for dogs.

Providing enough warmth.

We often think about our own needs when it comes to heating and cooling the home, but what about those of our pets? We need to make sure that the home is not too hot and not too cold. Think about temperature changes during the seasons and the needs of the dog. Thick coated dogs need more shade and water in summer. Short-coated and small breeds struggle in winter and need warmth and blankets.

Providing enough shelter.

Shelter works in two ways here. There is the shelter in the garden for those that like to be outdoors. Do they have a secure, waterproof place to go when it rains? Is their outdoor dog bed secure from the cold and parasites? Indoors, they also need a secure bed with the right support. They also need a secure pen or crate during the day to keep them in the right place. This is security in the peace of mind as much as health and safety.

General health and safety.

Health and safety with pet safety tips in the home are a little like child-proofing a home. The worst offenders are sharp objects, electronics and stairs. With the electronics, be careful with any wires and cables that are out in view. Puppies may think they are a good chew toy. Watch out for anything that may cause injury to clumsy animals or their soft paws.

Think about yard safety.

Safety and security in the home aren’t just restricted to the house and indoors. You need to make sure that the entirety of the dog’s territory is safe. Also, make sure that they can’t ingest anything dangerous out there. This means poisonous plants or chemicals used in the yard. Don’t use rat poisons. Yard safety starts with a secure boundary where they cant get out and cause any problems. Wireless fences are great for boundary training but try and build strong, physical boundaries where possible. You can learn more about electronic underground dog fences here.

Poisons within the home.

Finally, with these pet safety tips, you also need to be careful with the chemicals and potential poisons used in the home. There are dangerous houseplants as well as garden plants. We sometimes don’t consider the air our dog’s little lungs are breathing in. Air freshers, for example, might not be that safe. It is also important to keep cleaning products out of reach and reiterate the concerns about food. There are some foods that are poisonous to dogs, like chocolate, so keep them well out of reach.

Author Bio

Dawn Bradley is a regular contributor to the ThePetGod.com. She enjoys writing informational articles to help pet owners everywhere. She is from a small town in Manchester, UK, with her two rescue dogs, and a hubby of 25 years.