According to the recent National Pet Owners Survey, it is estimated that 68 percent of all households in the United States currently have at least one pet. This represents more than 85 million families. There’s no question that a pet can add quite a bit of happiness and love to any family; however, it also represents a huge responsibility.
Just like children, a pet needs virtually constant supervision. This is especially true if they are a younger animal. A safety issue that many people don’t think about when it comes to their pets is electricity. The fact is, there are several electrical hazards that your pets face – both young and old – on a regular basis.
The best way to protect your pet is by getting to know what these hazards are, and then taking steps to correct them.
Chewing or Gnawing Hazards
Birds and small mammals have a bad habit of chewing or gnawing on things every chance they get. In some cases, this could be an exposed electrical cord.
To protect your pet, try to block their access to the cords. You can do this by placing our furniture strategically, so your pets can’t see or reach them. If you are unable to hide all the wires, then consider encasing or wrapping them. The majority of home improvement stores offer some type of PVC or flexible safety cable to help with this. While this isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing solution, when it comes to pets – safety first!
Consider Pet Repellent Spray
Another way to make electrical components in your home look less appealing to your pets is by purchasing a deterrent spray. Remember, pets are a lot like kids – many don’t like certain foods due to the way they taste. If you spray various electrical components with this deterrent, you can discourage your pets from chewing, gnawing or interacting with these elements in any way.
Eliminate Pets Getting Tangled Up
Issues related to electrocution aren’t the only potential electrical hazard in your home. If you have several cables and wires close to one another, your pet may get tangled up in them. If this happens, they could be injured.
Train Your Pet
While this tip requires a bit of patience, it’s worth it. Take the time to train your pet. You can train your dog to not chew on the couch and you can train them to stay away from the wires. This is one of the best ways to ensure your pets aren’t injured by the electrical cords and cables in your home
If something does happen, and your pet is injured be sure to get them to the veterinarian right away. Electrical shocks are often life-threatening and should be treated as an emergency situation.
If you are worried that you may have electrical issues that could cause your pets harm, the be sure to contact the professionals. They can provide a full evaluation to ensure your home is safe from any type of electrical issue.