Fall Pet Safety Tips
Buying or selling a house aren’t the only reasons to get a safety inspection; sometimes you just want to ensure your family is living in a healthy environment and that means investing in pet safety as well as human safety! After all, our four-legged companions are our furry best friends and they rely on responsible, aware owners to give them a full, happy life. Not to mention that pet safety very closely coincides with overall living safety for humans too! Think that dust, mold, or a crumbling foundation are any less dangerous for animals? Think again.
Here are some household tips for pet safety that you may want to give extra attention when cleaning, moving somewhere new, or just enjoying the fall weather and upcoming holidays:
- Reduce allergies. You might be susceptible to outdoor pollens and even your own pet’s dander, but did you know that they can be susceptible to allergens too? If you see your pet itching more often or developing a rash, that just might be the case.
- Outside: To increase human and pet safety, be sure to rake away those fallen leaves and mow the grass and hedges down to counter any possible nature irritants to your pet and you!
- Inside: Brush your cat or dog twice to three times per week as they shed their summer coats to make room for winter ones. Otherwise, that hair will get all over your carpet, clothes, and furniture – not healthy and definitely not welcoming to guests.
- Beware of pests. Fall is a season for all kinds of pests to make their last pre-winter harrah. Continue monitoring your pet safety by checking for fleas and ticks. Those are nasty little buggers to bring indoors to endanger your family, let alone torment your furry friend. Also, be aware of where your pets romp around. Leaves, wood piles, and long grass can host dangerous snakes and other cranky critters trying to prepare for winter.
- Ensure access to water. Even though the temperatures are cooling, your pet still needs to drink a lot of water to stay healthy and active. Check the water bowl, especially if its outside, as cooler temperatures can freeze the water. Clear out ice chunks from the bowl to increase pet safety. While you’re at it, check the walkways and gutters for ice buildup – if the bowl water froze, chances are that ice could have built up and created danger zones elsewhere.
- Stay vigilant on holidays. Your pets become attention hogs with all of those guests around, but it’s easy to lose track of them with all of the festivities.
- Halloween: Thinking of dressing your pets up and letting them participate in giving out candy? Consider using reflective stickers on their outfits in case they get loose at night in the street. Also, keep an eye on that candy bowl by the door. Your puppy might decide that chocolate smells tasty, but it can make a dog seriously sick.
- Thanksgiving: Lots of leftovers? It’s tempting to throw some to your lovable, pouting pooch. But many human foods can be harmful to animals. When it comes time to clean up, use safe alternatives to harsh cleaning chemicals. This will avoid releasing fumes and covering surfaces with human and pet safety hazards.
- Christmas: Presents, tree water, decorations, strings of lights – all of these may look delicious to a dog or cat, but the sharp edges, chokable objects, and electrical sources can considerably jeopardize pet safety as well as interfere with seasonal celebrations.
Concerned about human or pet safety risks that might already exist in your home? It’s never a bad time for household maintenance and safety inspection services. Inspect-it 1st will help you find and address any possible concerns, keeping your entire family – including your pets – safe. Best of all, an inspection can set your mind at ease so that you can fully enjoy the cooling fall weather and the holidays to come!