As humans, we take our electrical safety knowledge for granted, but our pets have no idea what kinds of electrical hazards can cause them harm. That’s why it’s important to make sure your home is a safe place for your entire family, including the furry members of it!
Here are some important electrical safety tips for anyone with pets at home, particularly pets that are harder to train.
1. Block your pet’s access to electrical cords.
Whether you own a cat, dog, bird, or another smaller, furry animal, electrical cords will be the biggest threat to your pet’s safety. The reason is that pets have a tendency to chew or play with electrical cords, often out of anxiety, instinct, or mistaking them for a toy.
If possible, try not to leave plugged in electrical cords out in the open where it’s easy for your pet to gnaw on them. This can get tricky because you also don’t want to put things directly on top of cords (such as a rug) which might cause them to overheat. If you can tuck chords away behind desks, side tables, and entertainment centers, this can help keep your pet safe without sacrificing your safety.
2. Buy some deterrent spray to discourage chewing.
If your pet is still seeking out cords to chew on, there are all-natural sprays you can buy that will discourage chewing because of how bad they’ll taste to your pet. Just take care that you are only spraying chords that are 100% intact (no exposed wires). NEVER spray plugs, outlets, power strips, or surge protectors.
3. Give them plenty of toys and play time.
Most pets require ways to get their energy out and things to stimulate them. If you don’t provide play time and things for them to play with (in other words, things to distract them), they might start to play and interact with objects around the house, including electrical cords and equipment.
Some breeds of cat and dog are particularly energetic and require a lot of physical activity to remain happy and stimulated. Make sure to read up on whatever breed you own, or if it’s a mix, read up on the breeds of the possible parents. This will provide you with a better understanding of your pet’s needs.
4. Don’t keep multiple cables close together.
Pets can get tangled up in cords and cables that are kept close together, and they may not be able to work themselves free. This can make them panic, why may cause them to injure themselves as they try to squirm and jerk loose.
5. Don’t leave Christmas tree lights plugged in when you leave the house.
Many pets are intrigued by this “new toy” that gets brought out during the holiday season and will often try to chew on or play with your string lights. Cats and dogs, in particular, have a knack for knocking over Christmas trees. If the lights aren’t plugged in, this will probably lead to some broken ornaments and pine needles on the floor. When the lights are plugged in, this can lead to an electrical fire.
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