Toronto Hydro and the Toronto Humane Society will be sponsoring the first annual Pet Safety Week from Oct. 22 to 28, 2012 to raise awareness about safety hazards for pets in your home. Future Pet Safety Weeks will take place the second last week of October. Pet Safety Week will offer tips to help protect your pets from hazards.
Some of the tips offered for Pet Safety Week include:
1) Tape loose electrical cords to the wall or tuck cords behind appliances to prevent pets from chewing or playing with them potentially causing electrocution or causing a fire.
2) Always walk your pet on a leash so you can guide him around electrical equipment. The leash should be made of non-conductive material such as nylon.
3) Many household plants and foods are toxic to animals. Toxic plants for dogs include Aloe, Amaryllis, American Yew, Azalea, Begonia, Bird of Paradise, Calla Lilly, Carnation, Clematis, Christmas Rose, Dahlia, Daisy, English Holly, Eucalyptus, Fig, Fern Palm, Fire Lily, Gardenia, Geranium, Hibuscus, Holly, Ivy, Jade, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Peony, Poinsettia, Rose of Sharon, Sweet William, Tulip and Yucca among others. Grapes, raisins, garlic and chocolate are also toxic for dogs.
4) Secure rodenticides, sidewalk de-icers and antifreeze since these substances are toxic to your pets.
5) Make sure your pet is wearing a licence or name tag or install a microchip since veterinary clinics and animal shelters scan all lost animals for a microchip.
