Home safety: How to protect your dog from the main dangers

As dog parents, we all want the best for our furry friend and of course we have a responsibility to make sure he is safe and out of harm's way. It is incredible, however, how many dangers lurk even inside the house, without us even noticing it.

So, in order not to have any unpleasant surprises with your beloved dog, read below what are the main dangers in the household and how you will effectively protect him from injury and poisoning.

How to recognize the risk

When you look at your home, you might think that everything is perfectly safe. But you and your dog have very different logic about what a toy or a tasty snack might be.

So if you want to make your home safe for your dog, try to see it from his point of view. Crouch down in the dog's line of sight and take a look at what he's seeing. Look around for any hidden dangers that your dog might run into. In summary we can say that you should take the same precautions as you would with a child.

Common Chemical Hazards

We all have many dangerous chemicals in our homes in various forms, such as in common cleaning products. For example, you should have in places inaccessible to the dog chemicals, such as:

• Substances used in lawns and gardens, such as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides
• Insecticides
• Cleaners, such as bleach and hydrochloric acid.

Common food hazards

A dog's body is different from a human's. Foods that are good for humans can be toxic to dogs. Thus, under no circumstances should your dog consume:

• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Alcohol
• Human medicines, such as pain relievers, cold medicines and vitamins
• Offal, such as chicken bones, because they crumble easily and can cause a ruptured stomach or esophagus.

Hazards from common household items

Objects that seem harmless can be a significant danger to your dog if they are misused or accidentally swallowed. Some common items that can be dangerous are:

• Rubber bands, coins, or even dental floss are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal obstruction or choking.
• Balls can be fatal if they are too small for the dog, as can balls with slippery outer coatings (racquetballs, golf balls)
• Ornamental plants that are poisonous to animals.

What else to watch out for at home?

In addition to the removal and securing of such dangerous items, it is advisable that the following apply inside the house:

• All doors should be closed.
• If you have a pet door, make sure it's the right size and closes well.
• The litter box should not be accessible to the dog.
• The lid of the toilet bowl must be closed.
• All sharp objects on the floor should be removed.
• The eyes of the kitchen should be covered.
• Have the dog have chew toys to avoid chewing electrical wires or other dangerous objects.

In any case, if your dog swallows a dangerous object or substance, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Determining the substance that the animal consumed and treating it quickly are the main conditions to help effectively restore the health of your beloved friend!