“A wise person will learn from other people’s mistakes,” be wise and remember these!

Dogs need to chew and often do not care what they chew and swallow---a corn cob, sticks, electric wires, peach pits and even knives or even panty hose and socks. Bones may seem safe, but they often break teeth or a piece becomes stuck somewhere terrible and expensive and dangerous to remove. So puppy/baby proof your home and find safe items for “Sam” to chew: the right size rawhide, chew ropes, and peanut butter filled kongs.

Also, you must teach “Max” to leave it or drop it! See any training book and use a tasty treat such as freeze dried beef liver in exchange for the dead, decaying squirrel he found in the park. Cats by the way are generally too smart to eat or chew most harmful items. There are exceptions---linear foreign bodies and plants. Do not keep most plants where a cat can reach them, especially Lilies which are extremely toxic. One leaf can put a cat into kidney failure. Linear items like thread (with or without a needle), ribbons, string—especially those used to bind a roast or chicken and even dental floss. These items often get caught around the tongue and in the small intestines and the result is dangerous and expensive surgery to remove them.

Drugs and poisons: chocolate, raisins and grapes are poisonous to dogs. Keep them out of the house and especially off the tables and counters. Learn how to induce vomiting using hydrogen peroxide or Ipecac for the ingestion of these poisons or an overdose of medications. Watch out with holiday chocolates.

OTC anti-inflammatory drugs: Tylenol, acetaminophen, Motrin, ibuprophine, Excedrin, Aleve and naproxene should not be administered to dogs and cats and like all drugs, should be kept in a safe place---especially flavored (chewable) medications.

Cat owners---secure screens and screened in terraces are a must!

Leach your dog and while you are at it, curb “Fido” too. Make sure before every walk that the leach is secured to the collar, harness or choke. The collar should not be able to be pulled over “Buster’s” head. You should be able to fit two fingers between the neck and collar. “Buster” must be trained to properly walk on a lead. Remember---you are walking “Buster, he is not walking you. Or better, you should walk together. Keep Einstein on a short leach when entering and exiting elevators!

Rat Poison can cause life threatening internal bleeding or severe kidney failure so stay out of basements, park areas where signs indicate poison and building fronts with bait boxes. Antifreeze is another dangerous kidney poison especially in the summer. It accumulates in the gutter by the curb from auto runoff. It tastes sweat so pets will lick it.

Be aware and thoughtful with your pet and enjoy.

Alexander Jon Miller D.V.M., Diplomat American Board of Veterinary Practitioners