Gables Pressler

Keeping Your Pet Safe Outdoors

With the nice weather comes more time outside.  And who can resist taking their pets outside with them?  Taking your pet outdoors does come with a certain amount of risk.  Remember to always keep your dog on a leash and close to you so he can’t run away or get stolen.  We usually remember that piece of common sense.  But what about the safety hazards that don’t always come to mind?

1. Chemical lawn fertilizers.  Be careful about letting your puppy roll around in the grass.  If chemicals have  been applied to the grass recently it can be hazardous.
2. Vet checkups.  Make sure you’re taking your pet to the vet once a year for their checkups.  Doing so will help assure that you take care of any health issues before they become real problems and a real drain on your wallet.
3. Parasites.  Watch out for fleas and ticks.  Imagine being itchy all over your body and not being able to do anything for relief.  This is how your pet feels when infested with fleas or ticks.  They can also be quite dangerous for your animal’s health.  Check with your vet and look at the box of medicine that you buy to make sure that it is appropriate for your pet’s size.  Don’t use one intended for dogs on a cat.  The dosage is stronger and can very possibly be lethal.
4. Cleaning products.  Be careful when cleaning your home and be sure to check the warning labels on your cleaning products.  Many of them will say “keep pets and children away from area until dry,” follow these warnings!