May 21, 2012
Posted in Flea & Tick Preventatives, Pet Health

When spring rolls around, many people are motivated to clean out their garages and basements and spruce up their yard to get ready for the summer. Maybe you're preparing for your neighborhood yard sale? Perhaps you are just doing some spring cleaning in the garage. It is important to keep in mind that many common household items are poisonous to dogs, so if Fido is keeping you company during your cleaning, here are some things to be aware of.

In the garage

The garage is home to many household items that are potentially dangerous to dogs and humans. Antifreeze is one of the most common garage items that is particularly dangerous to dogs because it doesn't necessarily taste bad until it is too late. Antifreeze can drip straight out of the bottle or from a car's radiator, so it is important not to let your pooch lick around in the garage or driveway. Other garage hazards include wood preservatives.

In the basement

In your basement, you might have products designed to treat other concerns like mold, mildew and rodents. Fungicides and rodenticides can be deadly to dogs as well, or at least cause serious illness if ingested. Other common basement toxins include wood preservatives, lead and ammonia. It might be best to keep your dog blocked off from the basement with pet products like the Mission Aztec Freestanding Pet Gate. Make sure it has a fun activity to do while blocked off, too. Give it a chew like Greenies Dental Treats or toys like the Buster Food Cube. You can fill this toy with pet food to make the activity last all afternoon.

In the yard

Doing yard work? We all want a lush green lawn, but keep your pets in mind when choosing a lawn care treatment. Many weed-killing, grass-boosting products contain chemicals that can harm your pooch. When you water your grass and puddles form on the driveway or sidewalk, your dog might just take a drink from it – ingesting the toxins. To avoid this, always choose eco-friendly or non-toxic grass treatments.

While you're tending to your garden, you might also want to treat the yard for fleas. Even if your dog is on flea and tick preventative pet drugs like Comfortis, Frontline or Revolution, you might want to spray your yard for fleas and ticks with a product like Virbac Yard Spray, which will kill all fleas and ticks within 6,000 feet. 

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3. Dog Flea Meds Not Working?
4. Fleas: Not just an indoor problem
5. When your puppy gets fleas