06/04/2022
Dog Housekeeping and Puppy-proofing
1. Keep your trash secured
Dogs are drawn to the delicious smell of your trash and may eat things that are toxic, harmful, or not digestible, so make sure your trash is secure. Ingestion of foreign objects or toxic substances could lead to costly emergency surgeries.
2. Give your dog a safe space
Have a temperate area of your home with your dog’s bed or blanket, some toys, and a water bowl, where your dog feels safe and can easily take naps during the day. This can help your dog to self-soothe during stressful situations, like parties, a baby crying, or thunderstorms. If your dog was crate trained as a rescue puppy or when joining your family, keeping their crate open and available even after they no longer need it for training may provide them with a perfect place just for them that they’ll love to have.
3. Lock up household toxins
Always keep your household chemicals, such as cleaners and pesticides, out of reach from your dog. Many clever dogs can and will get into products kept under the sink or in the garage. Try using baby-proof locks to seal cabinets with toxic products.
4. Regularly wash your dog’s things
Germs, dirt, pollen, and more end up on your dog’s bedding, soft toys, and blankets. Make sure you’re washing these items weekly to keep them fresh and clean for your dog. If your dog suffers from seasonal allergies, this can be especially helpful in reducing their pollen exposure.
5. Keep your dog away from human food
Many human foods, such as chocolate, avocados, or onions, are toxic to dogs and can have serious ramifications on their health. Keep human food out of reach and be especially careful with gum and candies, as many contain xylitol which is a sugar-like substance toxic to dogs. Don’t feed your dog human foods on purpose unless recommended by your veterinarian. Some human foods, like plain chicken, canned pumpkin, or plain rice may be recommended intentionally by your vet for specific reasons such as digestive upset, and diarrhea, to help hide oral medication or as highly motivating training treats in small quantities. In these instances “human food” may be appropriate for your dog, but they certainly don’t need to lick your dinner plate clean or eat your leftovers.