Take a look at your house through the eyes of your four-legged friend. The best way is to get to know your home on all fours – your Jack Russell will find this to be a wonderful game… but who knows what your cat will think. Examine everything that your pets can reach, chew and swallow, as well as all the spaces they can climb into (and never get out of again)!

The secret is to keep your pets away from these hazards, without smothering their natural curiosity.

Top five danger zones

1 Pesticides
Many poisons contain ingredients that smell and taste pleasant. This can mislead your pets and make short work of their digestive systems. It’s not only the spray bottle you should keep away from them – remember they can become very sick if they eat any of the greenery you’ve sprayed. Be very careful when it comes to snail bait and rat poison.
Precautions For two to three days, keep animals away from plants that have been sprayed; buy products that are not dangerous for pets; lock all poisons away and ensure that the lids are closed; and don’t ever put rat poison behind the piano, where your cat may venture.

2 Beauty products and medicines
Nail polish and nail polish remover contain dangerous substances such as acetone, while acne products, soaps and shampoos are also dangerous. Headache pills or vitamins will definitely not ease Fido’s pain – in fact, you can expect exactly the opposite.
Precautions Store all products in a drawer, cupboard or glass container out of reach of your pet, and seal bottles properly so that the aromas don’t become too tempting.

3 Alcohol
Can your pet open the drinks cabinet with a paw or snout? Bear in mind that alcohol will give any animal a hangover. Any liquid that contains alcohol, such as perfume, medicine and cooking agents such as vanilla extract, can give your pet a rough time.
Precautions Make sure that the bottles of alcohol are out of reach, don’t leave food ingredients standing open. If there’s a party at home, rather put your cats and dogs in your bedroom for the evening.

4 Chocolate
While chocolate may be wonderful comfort food for you, dogs and cats can’t digest the caffeine and other ingredients it contains. Only a few blocks of chocolate can make your pets ill and a large quantity can send them to animal heaven. Coffee is just as bad.
Precautions Make sure chocolate is securely wrapped and stored. You can even keep it in the fridge or freezer.

5 Open windows
Hear how the birds are twittering outside. Mmm, the wonderful smells… who cares about the dangers that lie in wait? Does it really matter that you’re on the fourth floor?
Precautions If you don’t live at ground level make sure that your windows and balcony door can be closed securely when necessary.

Words and image: Home magazine