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