Richard Cussons

Is your House Safe for your Westie?

Your house maybe the safest place for you but is it the same for you westie? Discover basic tips in how to puppy-proof your home...

Westies can be meddlesome little creatures just like other breeds of dog. Being vermin hunters, seeing this breed investigates or snoops around is not unusual. More often, even the smallest and farthest corner of your house cannot escape from their prying minds.

There is really nothing wrong from having inquisitive westies provided you are sure that your abode is safe for these furry wanderers. Thus it is always recommended for first time dog owners to puppy-proof their homes before Fido arrives.

Poisonous Household Items
There are various household items that are more likely to poison pets. Household cleaners (disinfectants, laundry detergent and bleach), matches, insecticide, fertilizer, mothballs, rat poisons and other similar items should be kept on locked storage or high shelves. These items, though often considered as irreplaceable by most home-makers, can threaten your dog's health by causing stomach upset, vomiting, skin allergies, abdominal pain, tremors and/or problems associated with the heart and kidney.

Plants
Most plants promise beauty and by just looking at them can cause happiness and relief. However, many of these precious plants can be poisonous to your canine friend. Included in the list are apricot, peach cherry, spinach and tomato vine. These plants when ingested in large dosage can be fatal. Elimination of these plants is not that necessary. Putting up a fence to prevent the pup's from gaining access to the plants would be enough.

Other things to watch out for are:

• Weak or broken fence and unlocked gates
• Small items such as children's toys, buttons and coins
• Medications, toiletries, cosmetics
• Leftover foods and discarded cooking items
• Alcoholic beverages
• Electrical cords and wires including telephone and computer cables
• Swimming pool or pond
• Equipment for activities like fishing, hunting and other sport

Whatever you consider harmful to the kids is more likely harmful to the pets as well. Once you think you're done puppy-proofing your house, examine the surrounding once again for some things you might have missed. If you're 100% sure that your house is safe for your westies, or any other dog breed for that matter, it's time now to welcome that little white dog into the arms of your loving family.

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