As a pet parent, leaving your dog at home alone can be hard to do, wondering if something might happen while you’re away. Since Fido is, after all, just an innocent pooch, leaving him home alone can be a recipe for disaster under the right conditions. Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure your pet’s safety when you’re away. In this post, a veterinarian lays out some safety tips for “home alone” dogs.
Provide Entertainment
Boredom can drive dogs to do things they wouldn’t normally do, especially when they’re alone. Chewing up sofa cushions and scratching up the carpet are just a few harmless activities a bored pooch can get into. But still, there are always the more dangerous options too, such as getting trapped under a heavy piece of furniture or chewing on electrical cords.
For these reasons, it’s always a good idea to provide Fido with some type of entertainment to keep him busy, such as:
- Doggy puzzles
- Interactive toys
- Chew toys
- Play calming music
- A treat-dispensing toy (that’s challenging, of course)
- Leave the TV on
Never Leave Your Dog in the Yard Unsupervised
When you’ll only be gone for an hour or two, it can be tempting to let Fido roam the yard. But there’s always a risk that the few hours he gets outside alone is the one time he escapes. Also, if it happens to be really hot or cold outside, this is not only uncomfortable for him but can lead to health issues like heat burnt paw pads, stroke, frostbite, and even sunburn.
Doggy-Proof Your Home
Doggy-proofing your home is a good way to keep Fido from getting hurt or getting into trouble. Here are a few areas to focus on:
- Consider placing child-proof locks on your cabinets
- Get a garbage bin that has a latched lid and store it in a cupboard or restricted area
- Get covers for any exposed electrical cords and/or place them out of reach
- Put away any hazardous objects, especially things your dog might try to eat
Close Your Windows
Even if there’s a screen in place, an open window makes for a prime escape route, especially if Fido spots a squirrel outside. So be sure to close and lock all your windows before you head out. If you have to leave your windows open for ventilation, make sure they’re secured only open a few inches.
Please don’t hesitate to call us for more dog safety tips or to schedule your pooch for a checkup.
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