Tip 8 - SAFETY

Pet Proof Your House

Hidden dangers to your pets lurk in the corners and containers of our home. Having a pet is almost like having a young child in the house (and we all know our pets are our kids anyway, right?). Snail bait, rat poison, and anti-freeze all taste good to dogs (Snail bait actually looks and tastes like dog food). All chemicals and poisons need to be kept behind locked cabinet doors.

Watch out for young dogs chewing on electrical cords. Try buying one of the stop-bite/bitters products on the market to dissuade and repel your dog from the object of his attention. Spray the cord (or couch or pillow) and initially your pet's tongue too, with the product. Give your dog a full-strength dose of the bitter-tasting product will cement in their mind exactly how much they dislike that taste. The result is that when they go near the electrical cord and get a small dose of that same taste, memory will kick in and they'll walk away.

For cats, make sure window sashes and screens are securely in place, especially in high rise buildings, to prevent falling or an untimely escape.