The world is a dangerous place, especially for curious puppies.  Don’t believe me?  Then check out this mind boggling list of poisons put together by the Pet Poison Helpline.  Now I have to be honest, when I first saw this list I wanted to put my little brother in a bubble.  But then I started looking around and realized that Mom and Dad had already taken some preventative measures.  So in honor of Pet Poison Prevention Week (March 15-21), I thought I’d share a few things they’ve done to keep me and Asa safe.

Keep all medications out of reach.  Don’t leave them on countertops or on nightstands where curious noses may investigate.  This includes your multivitamins.  Also if you carry acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) in your purse or backpack, keep the bags off the floor and up high where we won’t be tempted to sample them.

When storing cleaning supplies, insecticides, and automotive fluids, be sure to lock them away or put them in containers where prying paws can’t reach.  Child safety locks don’t just work for kids.  They are a good deterrent for dogs too.

Don’t feed your dogs table scraps.  Yes, you read that right.  As a dog I would LOVE to eat everything you’re having, but for my own safety please don’t give in to my begging.  Everyone knows chocolate is poisonous for dogs, but did you know that fatty scraps, coffee, and table salt could also cause serious problems?  So best to keep our diets separate…this is also good advice for my waistline too.

Be aware of your surroundings.  With Spring just around the corner, there are so many plants that are very tempting but should not be ingested.  This is especially true of tulips, lilies, and daffodils.  This is where putting Asa in a giant hamster ball would really ease my mind, but it isn’t practical.  So just be conscious of what is in your dog’s environment.

And finally, keep these two phone numbers with you at all times!

Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661

ASPCA Animal Poison Hotline: 888-426-4435

Both offer 24 hour service 7 days a week, and they also each have informative websites and handy mobile apps.

Accidents can happen, and it is always good to be prepared.  Speaking of which, I just heard the pitter patter of little paws, followed by a thump and a bark.  I better go check on Asa!