PeT Tracks
Jan Jaeger

PET-PROOF YOUR HOME

We have always been able to trust our own dogs not to bother items left out on the counter or in the house, and it certainly has been more than a few years since we have had a puppy around. But my doggie houseguest, who is a hardened counter-surfer and incorrigible snitch, is another matter. I have to outsmart, outwit and outplay him to save him from himself and me from an emergency trip to the vet. If you have a new puppy, too, this is a good review to look at areas where trouble can be stopped before it starts.

The houses we live in have dangers for our pets' we might not be aware of. Because our pets are curious creatures, their way to explore and examine items of interest is to use their noses and mouths. Of course, what goes in their mouth is likely to get swallowed, potentially involving the entire digestive system.

At my house, everybody ends up in the kitchen. Not only do we cook and often eat there, our pets meals are served there as well. Commonly stored under the kitchen sink are cleaning supplies, oven cleaners, dishwasher detergent, household cleansers, sponges and scrubbers. Many dogs and cats learn to open cabinet doors. If you have a clever, door-opening pet, to be safe, either store these items up high, or buy the childproof fasteners that fit over the cabinet knobs.

The trash container in the kitchen is a constant temptation to your pet, and even those with covers present little challenge to one that is determined. Finding the evidence of last night's dinner in the middle of the floor is certainly unpleasant, but we should also be worried about the bacteria, molds and toxins found in some of the items we discard. Apple cores with seeds, potato skins and moldy cheese shavings can make your pet seriously ill.

While we're talking about food, most of us already know that chocolate is extremely dangerous for our dogs; just one ounce can poison a 30-pound dog. Baking chocolate contains the most theobromine, which is the substance in chocolate that is poisonous to dogs. Onion powder and onions, whether raw, cooked or dehydrated, by themselves or mixed into dishes like meatloaf or burgers, can cause a serious anemia disorder that damages red blood cells. Other foods you should keep from your dog are almonds, avocados, caffeine, raisins, fruit pits such as apricot, peach and plum, pear seeds and lima beans.

The appeal of toilet water is universal among dogs, and even some cats, such as our Mr. Fish, who routinely visits each bathroom in the shop. By putting the toilet lids down, you will protect your pet from any bacteria or cleaning chemicals that might linger in the water.

Many of us store cleaning products and medicines in the bathroom. Here again, secure cabinets within reach that contain dangerous products. Personal care items and cosmetics should be kept safely out of pet's reach as well. By training yourself to keep the bathroom door closed, you also prevent raids on the bathroom trash which may contain all sorts of enticing smelly things. In the laundry, soaps, bleach and fabric softeners should be correctly stored.

Your pet's medications should be kept separate from those for the rest of the family. Getting your medicines mixed up with those of your pets can happen, with unpleasant results. If you need to dispense medicine to your pet, double-check the label to be sure you have the right bottle.

Ingesting pennies minted after 1983 can cause zinc toxicity. Metal in the form of lead weights or fishing sinkers can also cause lead poisoning.

Kitty litter boxes have an undeniable appeal for certain dogs. Using a covered box will complicate access, or put it someplace the dog can't go. Clumping litter turns to a concrete-like substance when wet, so munching on organic matter covered with clumping litter can be extremely dangerous.

Anything that carries your scent is of particular interest to your pet. A childproof top on a medicine bottle may be difficult for an adult to master, but if your scent is on it, a determined dog could just bite through the entire thing. Other favored items often have a strong owner scent, such as pantyhose, lingerie or shoes. The other day, a customer ordered another muzzle, because this is the only way she has found to keep her dog from eating socks, which then have to be surgically removed.

Symptoms of poisoning or blockage could include abdominal pain or tenderness, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy or seizures. If you notice any of these occurring or have a suspicion that your pet ate something it shouldn't, contact your veterinarian

right away. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Nantucket's shop for pet supplies and gifts, and is a member of DWAA and CWA ( Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and three cats. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Willie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com.