Did you know that March 23rd is National Puppy Day? Puppies are adorable, and they are definitely something for us to celebrate. Although raising a puppy is fun, it’s also a lot of work. As little Fido’s teeth grow in, he’ll want to chew on basically anything and everything he can reach. This can be a dangerous habit! Your adorable pet doesn’t really know what is and isn’t safe for him to eat or chew on, so it’s up to you to make your home safe for him. Here, a North Suffolk, VA vet offers tips on making your home safe for your furry buddy.

Clothes

Clothes—especially smaller pieces of clothing, like socks and tank tops, can be quite dangerous, as they are just small enough for little Fido to choke on. Keep laundry off the floor.

Toxic Plants

Many popular plants are toxic to our furry friends. Check your houseplants, and make sure that you only have nontoxic ones. You can find a full list of safe and unsafe plants online at the ASPCA website here.

Chemicals

Household chemicals, such as cleaning agents, paint, bathroom cleaners, laundry pods, and other common products, are very toxic to dogs. Pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides are also unsafe. Keep these things in secure cabinets or cupboards, where your puppy can’t reach them. Automotive products are also dangerous.

Medication

Human medications can be extremely dangerous for our canine companions. Keep both prescription and OTC meds in medicine cabinets where your pet can’t get to them.

Small/Sharp Objects

Anything small or sharp should be stored safely out of paws’ reach. This includes craft kits, sewing kits, fishing tackle, safety pins, pens and pen caps, jewelry, beads, buttons, batteries, nails, and screws, to name just a few.

Plastic Items

Plastic bags, wrappers, and ties can choke playful pets, and/or can cause serious intestinal blockages if swallowed. We also recommend cutting apart the plastic ties that hold beverage packs together. This is not only safer for little Fido, it’s also better for wildlife and the environment.

Tips

Offer your puppy lots of safe, suitable objects to chew on. Kong toys are great, as you can fill them with things like peanut butter or kibble. These can keep your furry buddy occupied for hours!

Please contact us, your North Suffolk, VA vet clinic, for all your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!