Beyond the risks of sweeteners and chocolates, there are plenty of risks in that sweet looking Easter basket. First up, those hardboiled eggs may taste fine to a pet now (dyed shells and all – yuck!) but, if he decides to bury it in the backyard and dig it up later, he can get very sick from eating those rotten eggs. What other threats lurk inside? Find out when you read more Read more

If you have a furry little troublemaker on your hands – always trying to sink his teeth into something dangerous – then an electrical cord protector is a must have. Keeping a safeguard around your TV, cable, or stereo cords is a good idea so that your pet doesn't get the shock of his life when he feels the need to chew. Thankfully, you can get a protector on the cheap at Ikea or by shopping Read more

While North doesn't show much interest in the closed window (unless we're feeding the birds), whenever I have it cracked just the teensiest bit, he loves to put his paws up and sniff that fresh air coming in. Now my window ledges weren't in the greatest shape when we moved in but, if I owned my home, I would consider getting one of these Sill Shields to match any window I'd have open. Made from Read more

You may (or may not know) that some plants can be toxic to pets if they get the urge to munch the flowers and plants you keep around the house and garden. Even some of the most common flowers like Baby's Breath, which come in many arrangements, can be unassuming but totally harmful to your pets if ingested. Thankfully, the ASPCA has a complete list of plants that are a-ok and safe for Read more

Q: I love having fresh flowers and plants in my house, but my two cats always try to eat them! I know some are poisonous, and I never put those types out. I just would like to have a house plant in my home without them eating it! Any suggestions on breaking their habit? A: I'm so glad you've checked out which plants are poisonous for your pets! Unfortunately, many kitties are drawn to plants as Read more

The final stop in my pet-proofing series is the laundry room. The greatest potential danger in a laundry room is the clothes dryer. Kitties may be tempted to jump and nap on warm, fresh clothes either near or in the dryer. Some cats will even choose the empty dryer for a sleeping spot. This can quite obviously result in serious injuries if you turn the dryer on. To protect your cat's health and Read more

Next up in my pet-proofing series: the kitchen. Food presents a huge temptation to pets, especially when it's within reach of their paws or whiffs of their noses. It's natural for them to want to smell and nibble new foods so it's up to you to make sure they can only access safe yums. To learn how to safeguard your kitchen, read more Read more

Next up in my pet-proofing series: the bathroom. This is a door that many pet owners (myself included!) choose to keep closed. Bathrooms can present a slightly different, additional risk for pet owners... the risk of embarrassment. I remember eating dinner at a friend's apartment in New York when, all of a sudden, I looked over, and her dog had brought us a lovely present he fished out of the Read more

Next up in the pet-proofing series: pets and technology, a particularly sensitive subject for yours truly. Back before Mac laptops came with easy-off magnetic power cords, North made a flying leap off my bed and, with his back paw, my laptop also took flight before slamming shut on the hardwood floor! Recovery and repair were out of my price range so, several hundred dollars later, I replaced Read more