Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Keep your cat or dog away from toxic plants. Toxic plants commonly found around the house include mistletoe, schefflera, philodendron, dumbcane (dieffenbachia) and caladium. Talk to your local nursery about which toxic outdoor plants are common in your area.
Step2
Keep objects that are small enough to be swallowed away from your cat or dog. A small ball or loose string is easy to swallow and may cause bowel obstruction.
Step3
Store toxic chemicals, as well as dangerously sharp objects and utensils (knives, razors and scissors), in closed containers inside cupboards and cabinets.
Step4
Avoid confining your cat or dog in areas where cleaning products and other chemicals are stored.
Step5
Clean up any spilled chemicals thoroughly ' especially antifreeze ' before letting your pet into the area where a spill has occurred (see related eHow 'Detect Antifreeze Poisoning in Your Pet').
Step6
Keep chocolate in areas where your dog cannot reach it. Chocolate is toxic to dogs.
Step7
Secure electrical cords behind appliances, hidden from your pet's view, and tape them to the wall if necessary. Discourage your pet from chewing on them by spraying the cords with bitter apple spray or other unpleasant flavors (see related eHow 'Prevent Your Pet From Chewing on Electrical Cords').
Step8
Check and repair any damaged fencing, gates, doors, windows or screens where your cat or dog might escape.
Step9
Be cautious ' watch for your cat or dog as you drive in and out of your garage to make sure you don't run over her or get her caught in the garage door.
Step10
Keep medications and vitamins out of your pet's reach, and never give her medication labeled for people unless directed by your veterinarian. For example, acetaminophen is toxic for cats, and ibuprofen can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Comments
evilyn52 said
on 12/22/2007 The other day I lost my kitten Vanilla.She had a habit of playing in the bathroom.She jumped in the dryer while my Dad was putting clothes in and he didn't notice she was in there close the door and turn it on.My sister found her when she checked the clothes.Never, never ever let your cats or kittens play,sleep,or be in the bathroom alone or with you.It only takes minutes before there gone.
thomas said
on 1/24/2007 the same thing happened to us "BEWARE" i took some washing out of the machine turned round for a split second and turned the tumble dryer on.. our little kitten "Thomas" had obviously jumped in when we wernt looking.. we found him this morning.. dead neadless to say we are devasted.. this can happen all to easily... just beware...R & T
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 My brother's family very nearly lost their Siamese kitten when it sampled liquid from a potpourri heating pot. It poisoned the kitty. Please be careful when using this product.
Anonymous said
on 2/16/2006 Three days ago my 10 month old Ragdoll threw up a lot of water and a little food. Then he just sat in one spot for 2 days. He didn't eat or drink. I forced some water down his throat, but he threw it back up. I took him to the veterinarian, as he appeared very sick by now, and they took x-rays (not conclusive) and blood tests (renal numbers too high to come up with a number). I had him put to sleep as the cost for surgery was $2000. An autopsy the next day revealed a foam ear plug blocking the passage from stomach to intestines. A very dear lesson to pay! Put the ear plugs away, dear.
Anonymous said
on 12/9/2005 I came home yesterday to find my dog in agony. He was oozing large quantities of clear body fluid from his mouth, his eyes, ears and anus. His pupils were dilated and he looked like he was going to expire. I rushed him to the Veterinary Hospital where they told me to go home and search the area to see if he had swallowed antifreeze or gasoline. When I got home I saw that my otherwise brilliant dog had raided his litter box (yes, my hundred pound dog is litter box trained) and had eaten the clumps of poop that I hadn't scooped out that morning. I had recently switched from simple clay to "Deodorized Fresh Step," so he had eaten plenty of the chemical rich new product. The veterinarian pumped his stomach (finding plenty of kitty litter) and gave him plenty of other liquids and medicines to counter the ingested material. Within a day he was as good as new. It cost me a thousand dollars in veterinarian bills, but I learned my lesson.
Do not use chemical based litters (especially for dogs who can eat a lot of it when they get hungry). A lot of this was my fault, but please learn from my mistake.