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Dogs are lively, curious, and sometimes rambunctious. It's one of their most-lovedtraits, but it also means you have to be extra careful to protect your pup frompotential hazards.

Indoor & Outdoor Hazards

You want your home to be your dog's safe haven, so you have to take steps toeliminate certain hazards both inside and out.

Cleaning solutions like disinfectants, drain cleaners, and detergents are among the manyhousehold chemicals that can be toxic to a pet. They should be stored intightly closed containers and secured cabinets where your dog can't reach them.Medicines should also be stored out of his reach.

Also avoid giving your dog small or sharp objects–or those that can rip, shred, orshatter.

Further,do your best to keep electric wiring out of your dog's sight and reach. According to the National Safety Council, as many as 5,000 house fires a year can be attributed to pets chewing electric cords. Keep wires as short aspossible and mount any extension cords against a baseboard so they can't bechewed.

Make sure your dog always has an outlet for fresh air, like an open window, toprotect him from potential air pollutants in your home. Some threatening pollutants include fumes from cleaning agents; pesticides; paints andvarnishes; fungal agents found in air conditioners, air ducts, filters, andhumidifiers; and lead paint.

There are many hazards your dog can encounter outdoors as well. Dogs are attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze but it's chemical agent, ethylene glycol, is highly toxic. Other substances to be wary of include windshield cleaners, weedkillers, insecticides, and used motor oil.

It's Party Time!

If you're hosting a get-together in your home, decide in advance what to do with your dog. Let his personality be your guide.

If your dog is well-mannered around strangers, then by all means, extend him aninvitation. But remember, most dogs are on constant patrol for tidbits, and lots of rich treats can wreak havoc on a sensitive tummy. In the case of chocolate goodies, it's best to just say no. Chocolate contains a chemical that's toxic to dogs, so keep those trays and bowls out of his reach at all times.

If your dog tends to get hyperactive around groups of people, it may be a good idea to keep him on a leash–even indoors–if you'd still like him around. It'll keep him close by and encourage him to be on his best party behaviour.

On the other hand, if your dog is timid or anxious around strangers, consider keeping him in a quiet space, or in his crate. If he doesn't like being confined at such times, you may need to hire a pet sitter or have him boardedfor the day. It'll save both of you a lot of stress and heartache in the longrun.

Seasonal Hazards

Keep him safe on Halloween

Halloween is a night of fun, frolic and activity - which is great for the neighbourhood kids, but full of potential dangers for your dog. By following these helpful tips, you can help keep your dog out of harm's way.

Say 'no' to sweets
Many Halloween goodies can be toxic for your dog, especially those that contain xylitol. Chocolate is also potentially poisonous for dogs, so keep an eye on these goodies at all times.

Scrap the wrappers
Those shiny aluminum foil or cellophane wrappers may look like an interesting treat in your dog's eyes, but they could potentially cause blockage or tummy upset if swallowed.

A night of fright
It's a good idea to keep your dog safely tucked away in a room away from your front door during trick-or-treating time. The noise, activity and constantly-open door may cause him to dash outside in fear.

Costume check
If you decide to dress up your dog, take a moment first to make sure it doesn't limit his movement, hearing or sight. Check for choking hazards, too.

Decoration dangers
Candles in jack-o-lanterns can get tipped over by curious dogs or clumsy puppies, potentially causing a fire or harming your dog.

TenTips for a Poison-Free House

Be aware of the plants around your house and in your yard. The ingestion of apoisonous plant can be fatal.
When cleaning your house, never allow your dog access to the area where cleaning agents are used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties. Some may only cause mild digestive upset, but others could causesevere burns of the tongue, mouth, and stomach.
When using baits for rats, mice, snails, or slugs; or traps for ants orroaches; be sure to place the product in areas inaccessible to your pet. Most baits contain sweet-smelling, inert ingredients such as jelly, peanut butter, andsugars–all of which can be highly enticing to your pup.
Never give your animal medication unless so directed by your veterinarian. Many medications safely used by humans can be deadly for your pet. One extra-strength acetaminophen tablet (500 mg) can be deadly.
Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your dog's reach,preferably in closed cabinets. Painkillers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs,antidepressants, vitamins, and diet pills are common examples of human medications that could be lethal, even in small dosages.
Never leave chocolate unattended. It takes not even .5 oz (per pound of bodyweight) for something like baking chocolate to cause serious harm to hispancreatic or other body systems.
Many miscellaneous household items have also proven lethal for certain breeds.Among the most toxic–even in small quantities–are pennies (due to a highconcentration of zinc), mothballs (their naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene canmake even one or two balls a life-threatening dose), potpourri oils,fabric-softener sheets, automatic dish detergent (cationic cleaning agents cancause corrosive lesions), batteries (their acids or alkali can also causecorrosive lesions), homemade play-dough (because it often contains a high quantity of salt), personal heat products like hand or foot warmers (highlevels of iron), cigarettes, coffee grounds, and alcoholic drinks.
Store automotive products such as oil, gasoline, and antifreeze suitably out of reach. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) can be deadly tosome dogs.
Before buying or using flea products on your pup, ask your veterinarian torecommend a brand–but always read ALL safety information before using a producton your dog or in your home. Make sure too to follow label instructions whenusing a fogger or house spray, removing all pets from the area for the timeperiod specified on the container. If you are uncertain about the usage of anyproduct, contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian to clarify thedirections BEFORE use.
When treating your lawn or garden with fertilizers, herbicides, orinsecticides, always keep your animals away from the area until it driescompletely. As with other products, discuss usage with the manufacturer shouldany questions arise, and store in an area assured no possible pet exposure.

Jill A. Richardson, DVM
Veterinary Poison InformationSpecialist
ASPCA National Animal PoisonControl Centre

Poisonous Plants

Belowis a list of poisonous plants to look out for–and to keep away from your dog atall costs: