How to keep pet dogs healthy
Keeping your dog healthy helps to keep you and your family healthy. To learn how to stay healthy around dogs, visit the Healthy People section.
If your dog becomes sick or dies soon after purchase or adoption, take your dog to the veterinarian promptly and inform the pet store, breeder, or rescue organization about the pet’s illness or death. Make sure to tell your veterinarian if the pet was adopted internationally. Thoroughly clean the area your pet lived in.
- It is not recommended to keep dogs tied up outside. Tying dogs outside is illegal in some areas. In addition, dogs that are tied up are more likely to bite than those roaming freely in a fenced yard.
Talk to your veterinarian about:
To further reduce the chances that a tick bite will make your dog sick:
- Run your fingers through your dog’s fur with gentle pressure to feel for any small bumps.
- Looks for ticks in the following areas:
- In and around the ears
- Around the eyelids
- Under the collar
- Under the front legs
- Between the back legs
- Between the toes
- Around the tail
How to stay healthy around dogs
Before buying or adopting a dog or puppy, make sure a dog is the right type of pet for your family. Talk to your veterinarian about the right type of dog for you to make sure the dog you choose fits your lifestyle and needs. Be aware that dogs can sometimes carry germs that can make people sick, even when they appear clean and healthy. Visit your veterinarian for routine care to keep your dog healthy and to prevent infectious diseases.
- After handling dogs, their food and water dishes, or their supplies
- After contact with dog saliva or poop, even if you use a bag
- After handling dog food, treats, toys, or bowls
- Before you eat or drink
Cleaning up after your dog helps to keep the environment clean and reduces the risk of diseases spreading to people and other animals.
Dog bites can cause pain and injury, but they can also spread germs that cause infection. Nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention. Any dog can bite especially when scared, nervous, eating, or when playing or protecting toys or puppies. Dogs may also bite when they aren’t feeling well and want to be left alone. Any dog can bite, but most dog bites are preventable, and there are many things you can do at home and within your community to help prevent them. Practicing the safe handling tips below can help you avoid dog bites.
Know the risks
Children are more likely than adults to be bitten by a dog, and when they are, the injuries can be more severe. Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs. Having a dog in the household is linked to a higher likelihood of being bitten than not having a dog. As the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the likelihood of being bitten. Adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home. Among adults, men are more likely than women to be bitten by a dog.
How to prevent dog bites and scratches
If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, stay still and be calm, and avoid direct eye contact with the dog. Say “no” or “go home” in a firm, deep voice and stand with the side of your body facing the dog. Slowly raise your hands to your neck with your elbows in and wait for the dog to pass or slowly back away.
What to do if you are bitten or scratched by a dog
Germs can be spread from dog bites and scratches, even if the wound does not seem deep or serious.
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
- Apply an antibiotic cream.
- Cover the wound with a clean bandage.
- Apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding. Then seek medical attention.
- If you cannot stop the bleeding or you feel faint or weak, call 911 or your local emergency medical services immediately.
See if a healthcare provider if:
Report the bite
- If you don’t know if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
- If the dog appears sick or is acting strangely.
Pet Safety in the Laundry Room
Whether a home has a specific laundry room or a laundry area, it can present some safety hazards to pets.
Detergents and bleaches are a significant issue that can be minimized by making sure caps are firmly reattached after use. Keep in mind that if something other than a cap is used for measuring a product, that container may have residue of the cleaning product. This should be kept out of the reach of pets and thoroughly rinsed.
Fabric softener dryer sheets contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets and can be a choking hazard when torn. All laundry related chemicals, including dryer sheets, should be safely stored in a cabinet with the door closed.
Beyond the products used in a laundry area, the equipment itself can pose safety risks to pets. An open washer may prove too tempting for a small cat. An open dryer door may be inviting for pets seeking a warm place to sleep or hide. Check washers and dryers before use and keep doors closed to prevent trapping curious pets.
Clothes left in a laundry basket near washers and dryers may become a playground for young pets with buttons posing a potential choking hazard. Care should be taken to minimize this risk.
Laundry areas have a number of nooks and crannies where pets — especially small ones — can get into trouble. Because of vents and hoses, washers and dryers cannot be placed up against the wall behind them leaving an area small pets may want to explore. Laundry areas may include ironing boards hanging racks for clothes, storage areas, and shelves. This combination can create an almost endless source of areas to explore.
If it is not possible to secure your laundry area by closing a door, seek to find barriers to these nooks and crannies to prevent a small pet from becoming trapped.
Irons and ironing boards present a variety of safety issues for pets depending partly on how they are used and stored. Ironing boards are somewhat unstable whether they are leaning against a wall or even when properly set up. Add a several pound iron with a cord dangling down and you have a potentially dangerous situation for pets.
Ironing boards should be set up and irons plugged in only when they are being used. Dont allow dangling cords to be a temptation for pets. Store ironing boards where they wont fall on pets like in a closet or between a wall and refrigerator. Store irons securely away where pets wont chew or tug on electrical cords. Avoid hanging ironed clothes from the edge of an ironing board as they too, may serve as a jumping temptation for pets.
Irons and ironing boards may be an afterthought when not in use, but they shouldnt pose a safety risk to a pet when stowed away. Taking a few precautions can better protect your pet.
Top 10 Best Guard Dog Breeds to Protect Your House and Family
A home should be a safe and comfortable retreat for every member of the household — and that includes any four-legged ones that share this space as well. Many people in Los Angeles County have pets, so we figured this would be a great resource to create. Pet owners have the added responsibility of making sure their pets can have a safe environment at home, and this is particularly true for those with puppies and kittens who are naturally inquisitive.
This guide will look at each room of the home, as well as outside yards. It will review potential problem areas and how owners can better “pet-proof” each. This complete guide will help pet owners determine which indoor and outdoor plants are toxic, why appliance and window cords can be hazardous to pets and how to go about making renovations to make a home even more pet-friendly.
Enjoy the peace of mind of making – and keeping – your home safe for your cat or dog.
Open drawers can be an almost irresistible temptation for puppies and kittens. Care should be taken to keep drawers closed to prevent accidentally trapping a small pet. If you discover an open drawer, check inside before closing. Open drawers can also serve as a ladder for cats to climb to even higher, potentially unsafe heights.
When upper drawers are left open, they can create a tipping issue for larger dogs or cats. Open drawers also provide an invitation for pets to chew on socks, undergarments, and other clothing. There may be other items stored in drawers that contain buttons or other potential choking hazards.
Like drawers, closets are a very attractive place for pets, especially small ones, to hide and explore. Closets usually contain a lot of items that can cause safety concerns. Shoes, for example, have laces that can have plastic ends that can be chewed off. Clothing or boxes may fall from shelves causing injury or trapping a small pet.
Mothballs can be more toxic to cats than dogs but dogs are more likely to ingest them. Naphthalene mothballs can cause a variety of ailments in pets when ingested including vomiting, anemia and even liver or kidney problems.
Pet owners often find it easier to keep closet doors closed when not at home and checking closets before potentially trapping a pet inside.
Bedrooms are one of the most popular rooms in the home to recharge electronic devices. Care should be taken to keep cords from being too easily accessible, especially for kittens and puppies. These chargers can be tempting to play with and pull and chew on. This, of course, can lead to a variety of issues.
Keep in mind that charger cords, when plugged into a wall socket, can still cause a shock when not plugged into a device. Cords may not only cause shocks but can become choking hazards when the plastic is chewed on or an end is chewed off.
Beyond the potential damage a pet may cause to clothing left on the floor or in a laundry basket, laundry also poses some safety risks to pets. Pets can chew off or choke on buttons or drawstrings. Elastic stitching in undergarments and socks can also choke a pet.
It can be best to keep laundry in a closed clothes hamper or in a closet with the doors closed until laundry day.
While jewelry is attractive to humans for a variety of reasons, they can also be appealing to pets. Thin chains and necklaces can appear to be toys for a young pet and colored earrings and beads and other jewelry can be easily mistaken as a treat or an item worth chewing on. Jewelry and numerous other small items in a bedroom can create an abundance of choking hazards for pets and should be stored safely away.
If medications are stored properly up in a medicine cabinet, they are little risk to pets. Problems arise, however, if medications are left on sinks and countertops and lids are left open. Some human medications can be fatal if ingested by pets, including some over-the-counter drugs. Care should also be taken to keep pet medication and human medications stored safely apart from each other, limiting potential mix-ups. No human medication should ever be given to a pet without approval of a veterinarian. If a pet is lethargic, is vomiting or is having trouble breathing and you suspect medications to be the problem, you should contact your veterinarian and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Centers 24-hour phone number at 888-426-4435 or the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.
Human toothpaste offers some dangers for dogs, in particular when they contain a xylitol, a sweetener often used in the product. When dogs ingest toothpaste that contains xylitol, it can lead to vomiting, seizures and in some severe instances, liver damage. Adding to the danger is the fact that most toothpaste is packaged in soft, squeezable tubes that are inviting to pets and can be easily punctured by a dog or a cats teeth.
Many common cosmetics contain ingredients that can be poisonous to pets including tea tree oil, minoxidil, toluene, formaldehyde, acetone and more. Hand sanitizers have large amounts of isopropyl alcohol which is dangerous to pets. Even common deodorants contain aluminum which can be harmful when ingested by small animals.
These products should be safely stored away in a cabinet or container. Care should be taken to make sure a cabinet door cant be sprung open by pawing from a pet. If it can be potentially opened by a pet, consider the use of childproof door locks.
Some pet owners find it at least somewhat amusing that their pets try to drink from the toilet. Generally speaking, however, most pet experts agree this is not a good idea. A pet could slip and get trapped and potentially drown in a toilet. The toilet seat could accidentally come down on a pet trapping them or causing injury. There are also bacteria concerns that are present even in “clean” toilets.
Soaps and chemicals can cause issues as well. Many homeowners use in-tank cleaners to keep their toilets fresh. These bleaches, soaps, and chemicals can be harmful to pets. Even when bowls are cleaned without in-tank cleaners, access to pets should be restricted until the toilet has been flushed multiple times, assuring any cleaner residue is rinsed safely away.
A safer alternative to toilet water would be providing your pet with clean water daily in a clean bowl.
While showers and baths provide little safety risks themselves for pets, the same cant be said for the products commonly found in them. Soaps, shampoos, and hair/body cleaners often contain chemicals like non-ionic and anionic detergents that can be harmful to pets. This is the reason that human soaps and shampoos shouldnt be used on pets. Instead, it is safer to use specially formulated pet shampoo products.
Other products used in the shower like sponges and loofahs can be choking hazards when not kept safely out of the reach of pets. If there are products in the shower, keep shower doors closed. If that is not an option, restrict access to the area by keeping the bathroom door closed.
Bathrooms can have a variety of sharp items that pose safety risks to pets including razors, razor blades, tweezers, nail files, scissors, and more. These items can cause harm to curious pets and be potentially deadly if swallowed. Caution should also be taken when storing small mirrors that could be knocked off a countertop or sink and break into sharp pieces.
Curling irons and hair straighteners can reach temperatures in excess of 400 degrees. This is an obvious risk to pets when in use, but even when not in use, appliances in the bathroom can still pose dangers. The cords of electric razors and hair dryers can be tempting to chew on and potentially cause a shock to a pet. Hanging cords may be tugged upon, pulling both the appliance and nearby products to the ground where there are even more accessible to dogs or cats. Luckily, many new construction homes are now built with better cord and electronics organization in mind, so there may already be areas for cords to reside without being exposed to curious pets.
You can create a safer environment for pets by winding up cords properly when they are not in use and storing them safely out of sight and reach of your four-legged friends.
An additional step you can take to better ensure you and your pets safety when using electrical appliances in the bathroom is making sure any sockets near water are GFCI (ground-fault electrical interrupter) sockets that can prevent shocks should a short occur.
It is easy to think that any food we enjoy, our pets will also enjoy. The reality is there are foods that can be dangerous, and even poisonous to our pets. Here is a list of food products that the ASPCA Poison Control Center lists as potentially harmful for pets.
What pet owner hasnt walked into the kitchen or come home from work to discover their furry friend has been exploring in their absence? Not only can trash contain food items that may be dangerous to pets, but old food may be bacteria-filled, causing severe stomach problems.
Trash also often contains plastics, bottle caps, twist ties, plastic bags, and other choking hazards. Sharp edges on trash cans and trash can lids can be problematic for pets. Trash may include broken glass, chemicals, soaps, and a myriad of material that can create health issues. When a cat or dog goes rummaging through kitchen trash, it is not just an inconvenience — it can be very dangerous for them. A close eye should be kept on pets who have recently been exploring.
Keep trash more secure by investing in a heavier (but not top-heavy) trash can that may be more difficult to tip and that has a secure top. Many pet owners decide keeping trash under the kitchen sink and making sure it is not accessible to pets is the best solution. Many luxury homes already do this to some extent — keeping trash stored out of site in an elegant fashion.
If your home has a kitchen pantry, your pet probably knows about it and at least has an idea about the wealth of treasures within. They may not know exactly what the pantry contains but it will not stop them from trying to gain entry and finding out. If the pantry is used for storage of pet food and treats, it will pique your pets interest even more.
While some items kept in a pantry are relatively secure in cans, jars, and plastic storage containers, many items are in easy to open boxes and bags. These are the items that need to be kept up and out of the reach of pets. While many people tend to keep items like potatoes and onions on lower levels of the pantry, it can be more prudent to keep them higher, especially when kept in the original bags. Hanging these bags in a pantry may be an option.
The best solution for those with a pet and a pantry may be to keep the pantry door closed. Ideally, door handles should not be of the lever variety, as pets will have an easier time figuring these out if theyre rather clever.
It is critical that cabinets, especially lower cabinets containing chemicals and cleaning products be kept secure from pets. Pets can be surprisingly good at opening cabinet doors, leaving owners both impressed and frustrated.
Beyond dangerous home chemical and cleaning products, pets can get tangled in plastic wrap or get a head stuck in stored plastic bags. Lower sink cabinets often contain trash cans. Smaller pets can get stuck in cabinets, have items fall on them, or knock items from the shelves of cabinets.
Check to make sure cabinet doors are closed completely after use. A door that is even slightly ajar can be manipulated by a prying paw. Spring-loaded hinges can provide more security, but often the simplest choice is childproof latches.
Modern conveniences mean more safety issues for pets in a kitchen. Generally speaking, major appliance cords are safely tucked behind the appliance. The issue is often smaller, countertop appliances that can provide pet safety problems.
Oftentimes, the biggest issues are cords that are exposed and may be tempting to play with, pull or chew on. Unplugging these appliances can remove the shocking hazard from chewing on a cord, however, chewed insulation and plastic can still cause choking hazards. Large dogs may easily have the ability to pull on a small appliance cord, toppling it from the countertop. Moving these smaller appliances further back on countertops or storing them when not in use is advised.
An often overlooked area in kitchen safety is the potential problems posed by the many nooks and crannies that can be found in some kitchens. Pets, especially small and young pets, have a natural curiosity to explore, and this can include areas between and behind major appliances, between appliances and cabinetry and even open dishwashers.
The best solution is to block any access to nooks and crannies. This can be done through an appropriately sized trash can or by sliding in a folding step stool or step ladder into smaller open areas. For those seeking a simpler solution, an expandable gate to totally block off kitchen access for your pet may be the answer.
Fences are the first line of defense in keeping your pet inside your yard. That is, of course, unless you have a cat. Cats are natural climbers and the best you may be able to hope for is that a fence will contain a cat for a brief period.
For dogs, however, fences can be quite effective it keeping them out of harms way. Choosing the right fence will depend greatly on the size and jumping ability of a dog. For small dogs and puppies, a smaller chain link fence may work fine. For larger breeds or dogs who are good at jumping, a taller privacy fence may be necessary. For those in gated community homes, its better to not assume that the gates or fences around the community will be sufficient in the event your pet escapes the home.
While most owners will spend time focusing on the height of a fence, there are other considerations as well. Pet owners need to make sure that their pet wont escape or get stuck between the vertical slats of a picket, iron or aluminum fence. Decorative or pointed tips of a fence can cause injury should a dog be unsuccessful in jumping the barrier. Finally, care should be taken to make sure a dog cant dig under a fence and escape. There are several ways this can be prevented. A trench could be dug along the fence line before installation and cinder blocks placed in the ground. When a dog then tries to dig under the fence, they will be greeted with an impenetrable barrier. The fencing could also partially extend below the surface to discourage digging.
A pet that is allowed outdoors will eventually find, and perhaps even chew on, plants that may be harmful to them. Plants affect dogs and cats differently. If any of these reside in your garden, consider removing and replacing them with non-toxic flora.
Reactions can include everything from mouth and skin inflammation to more serious issues to the heart and kidneys. Symptoms may include trouble breathing or swallowing excessive urination drooling, excessive thirst and an irregular heartbeat.
If dogs demonstrates any unusual behavior or listlessness after being outdoors, owners should contact their veterinarian.
While we tend to believe that all dogs are good swimmers and have an inherent ability to “doggie-paddle”, dogs can and do drown. A dogs ability to swim is often based on the breed of dog. Dogs that have large chests have a greater ability to stay afloat and swim, with leaner breeds with shorter legs having a disadvantage in the water. Obese and geriatric dogs are also at a higher risk of drowning.
The problem is that dogs have a tendency to only use their front legs when paddling. This can ultimately place them in an almost vertical position in the water. After a time, they can become exhausted and the potential for drowning increases.
Many dogs can benefit from simple swimming lessons given by their owners. Owners can spend time in a pool with their dog, lifting their hind quarter to encourage the use of rear legs. There are also life preservers for pets that can assist dogs in staying afloat.
Owners can make pools safer by showing pets where the safe entrances and exits are to enter or leave the pool. These can be reinforced with visual clues like potted plants or an umbrella table in the area of the safe exit. Additionally, if you live in a golf course home or an oceanview home near the water, youll want to make sure your gate or fences do not have gaps or holes near them that would let your dog escape unattended.
Taking proper precautions in protecting pets from harm around pools will keep a pet safe and give owners peace of mind.
Standing water can be a tempting play area for pets and may even provide a source of water for a thirsty animal. There are dangers to standing water, however, and it should be removed from your yard to keep pets safe. Standing water can also attract animals and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects.
If you have standing ground water in a yard, there may be drainage issues that need to be addressed. Check for standing water in other items like buckets, pails, bird baths or any item that may collect water as well.
Outside trash bins often contain an assortment of items that can be choking hazards for pets. These items can include bones, plastic or metal bottle caps, plastic bags and wrappers and more. Food scraps and waste can provide a bacterial health danger to pets if ingested.
Outside trash bins should have lids that close firmly and should never be so full that tops cannot be firmly secured. If a pet has been successful at getting into an outdoor trash bin, owners should try to determine what items may have been chewed on and keep a close eye on your pet for any unusual behavior like vomiting, diarrhea or choking. If a pet appears lethargic following an adventure in a trash bin, owners should contact their vet to further investigate any potential problems.
Outdoor fire pits are more popular than ever. They can serve as a centerpiece to a quiet evening outdoors or as a gathering place for cool nighttime parties. Of course, many pets will want to join in on the activity surrounding a fire pit. There are steps owners should take to keep a pet safer around fire pits.
Dont assume your pet knows that flames are hot or dangerous. Take precautions to keep your pet safe while enjoying the outdoors.
Garages are full of various tools that range from ladders to power saws to hedge clippers. Long-handled tools and ladders that are stored leaning against a wall can be easily knocked over by a pet. They can more safely be stored on hangers designed to hold them in place.
Power tools should always be unplugged to prevent electrical shock to a cord-chewing pet and safely stored so they wont fall or be pulled down on a pet. Small nuts, screws, and bolts can present choking hazards and should be stored in containers or drawers.
Pet owners should pay particular attention to sharp objects like trimmers, hand saws, blades and others. Keep in mind, cats like to climb, so keeping workbenches and shelves clear can improve safety. Shelving safety can be enhanced by attaching units securely to the wall.
Garages often contain more chemicals, solvents, and fuels than any other area of the home. This is one of the reasons it can be an unsafe area for pets. There are some simple steps you can take to improve the safety of your garage.
One of the most dangerous liquids for dogs in a garage is antifreeze. Only recently has antifreeze been made less appealing to dogs by reducing its sweet flavor. What makes antifreeze so dangerous to dogs is that it contains ethylene glycol, which even in small amounts will cause diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness. Ingesting antifreeze can lead to kidney failure, seizures, and a coma. Even after extensive therapy, many dogs do not survive antifreeze toxicity.
Other garaged chemicals that can be toxic to pets include gasoline, motor oils, cleaners, and car waxes. Garages also contain other non-automotive related products and chemicals like pesticides, paints, paint thinners, yard chemicals and more.
Typically, the best solution for pet owners is to keep the garage off-limits to their pets if hazards like these are present.
Cars parked in a garage pose some specific problems for pets. Cats, for example, may find the warm engine from a recently running car comfortable, especially in cool or cold weather. You can help keep cats safer by checking an engine compartment before starting a car or by banging on the hood to scare any cat out from the area.
Cats may also snuggle against the tires of a parked car or climb in through an open window. Carbon monoxide from a running car can be dangerous or fatal to both pets and humans, so avoid keeping cars running in enclosed spaces.
If a pet slips into a garage unknown overnight, they may quickly escape when the door is opened in the morning.
Know where your pet is every night before retiring and be sure to check the garage. Keeping garage doors shut and limiting access can go a long way in keeping your pet safer.
Your garage likely contains a number of heavy items that cause harm to a pet should they fall or a pet becomes entangled with them. These include:
Care should be taken to make sure these heavy items do not pose a risk of falling or tipping onto a pet. Shelving and shelving units should be stable enough to support a climbing pet without tipping or falling. While small dogs may not be able to create much havoc in a garage, climbing cats and large dogs can be problematic. Taking a quick inventory and securing larger heavier items can help protect your pet and keep them safer from harm.
Boxes may contain stored holiday items like light strings, fragile glass bulbs, tinsel, and garland that can cause health or choking issues for pets if ingested. Stored items may be boxed using plastic bags, rubber bands, paper clips or other items dangerous to animals.
Pet owners can make stored items in the garage safer by using plastic bins that can stack safely and that close securely as opposed to cardboard boxes.