| It's Christmas and you have decided to | | | | suspect the pup may have been poisoned |
| give that special someone a pet puppy as | | | | with the wrong plant, contact the Animal |
| gift. You have done all your homework in | | | | Poison Control Center 888-4ANI-HELP |
| selecting the proper breed with the | | | | (888-426-4435). |
| right characteristics and temperament. | | | | 3. Put away dangerous objects: Are |
| You have visited numerous breeders and | | | | electrical cords and tools hanging and |
| pet shops and have found just the right | | | | lying around? If there are such |
| puppy. You choose an adorable playful | | | | dangerous objects lying around, pick |
| healthy puppy that will make the perfect | | | | them up and put them away. |
| companion. | | | | 4. Supervise the puppy: Don't let your |
| Well, it's not enough to just bring the | | | | pup be unsupervised whether inside or |
| new family member home. | | | | outside the house. Also, remember to |
| You need to get your house ready for the | | | | keep the pup away from balconies, upper |
| new addition. Remember that pups are | | | | porches and high decks or they may just |
| like babies, wanting to explore all | | | | slip through the openings and fall. |
| parts of your house. | | | | 5. Keep our toilet covered: Puppies |
| How do you know your house is safe and | | | | sometimes like to play in the toilet |
| ready for your new pet? | | | | bowl water. This is harmful for the pup |
| Check for these: | | | | as they may swallow the toilet cleanser. |
| 1. Clear your house of poisonous items: | | | | 6. Get sharp objects out of the way: Put |
| Have you cleared your house of all | | | | away all sharp objects such as sharp |
| poisonous items and taken them out of | | | | twine, sewing needles and pins far away |
| your pup's reach? If you haven't, now's | | | | from your puppy's reach. If they swallow |
| the time to put away cleaners, laundry | | | | these objects, they can harm their mouth |
| detergents, bleach, disinfectants, | | | | and internal organs. |
| insecticides, cleaning fluid, | | | | 7. Don't tie ribbons round the pup's |
| fertilizers, mothballs and antifreeze in | | | | neck: They may chew it and this can lead |
| cabinets or high up on shelves. An | | | | to digestive problems or choke them if |
| adventurous growing pup will be sure to | | | | the ribbon gets caught in something. |
| jump high on to your shelves to find out | | | | 8. For plant nibblers: If the pup tends |
| what's there. | | | | to nibble on grass, don't worry, this is |
| 2. Uproot all life-threatening plants: | | | | natural. But if they take this habit |
| Do you have life-threatening plants at | | | | forward and nibble on certain other |
| home? Apricot pits, spinach and tomato | | | | plants, this could affect your pet's |
| vines are dangerous to your pup. You can | | | | health and life. |
| ask your vet to identify more such | | | | These simple precautions will help |
| plants that could affect your pet's | | | | ensure the safety of your new puppy as |
| health and life. An excellent resource | | | | you welcome your new family member into |
| on the web is to visit for a detailed | | | | your home. |
| listing of poisonous houseplants. If you | | | | |