By Sandy Eastman - ONLYforPETLOVERS Minneapolis

ONLYforPETLOVERS correspondent Sandra Eastman spent years doting over her ill poodle-terrier mix Pooh-Bear after she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. It was not until six years later that the true cause of the illness surfaced: a tiny rubber super ball that the little dog had ingested years earlier. Having learned her lesson, Eastman now maintains a pet-friendly home and is passing some pet-proofing advice on to you.

As devoted pet owners and animal lovers, we think of our pets as our family, and in most instances, treat them like our children. As parents, we often child-proof our homes to guard against potential dangers, yet our "children with fur" are even more dependent upon us because they cannot speak. They can't tell us when they ingested a sock, a plant, a wire or small toy. It's often not until they become ill that we realize something is wrong.

Seeing through your Pet's Eyes
What can we do to make our home safer for our pets? You can start by getting down on your hands and knees. Seeing the world from your pet's vantage point will help you see the dangers your pets might face. All wires should be tucked away from their reach. Small objects such as super balls, plastic toys, etc. should always remain in a safe and "higher" place. A dog, especially a large breed, can swallow just about anything. Watch out for rubber or plastic items. These things are often difficult to see on x-rays and some may be classified as "radio-lucent" as was the case with Pooh-Bear.

Bouncy Balls are not Dinner
Our poodle-terrier mix, Pooh-Bear, began to vomit and have seizures when she was four years old. After x-rays and tests, the diagnosis was pancreatitis. She was put on a special diet, but it didn't seem to help. Periodically, she was hospitalized for tests in an attempt to find the answer to her problem. She finally stopped eating, and we were forced to do an exploratory surgery. The results were astounding. A tiny super ball had managed to move through her system for six long years, avoiding all x-rays. After the incident, we ransacked the house looking for any small toy or object that could be ingested by Pooh-Bear or any of our other pets.

Compassionate Care Animal Hospital in Minneapolis says that although some items are difficult to see on x-rays, new techniques and the use of barium better allow veterinarians to find and remove foreign objects that may have been ingested by the animal. The most common household item that dogs ingest is socks. For cats on the other hand, string is particularly pesky.

Don't Wash Fluffy
A safe environment for animals to run and play should also be provided. Stairs and high furniture can be hazardous, often leading to leg or hip injuries. Although cats can jump without problems, a dog can easily become injured by jumping off a high surface or running down a steep flight of stairs.

Cats, on the other hand, have their own set of troubles. They will gravitate to anything warm and snuggly, especially a washer or dryer. Never leave the washer or drying open after removing clothing. Always check in the washer or dryer before using it. Cats often crawl in to feel safe or warm. Turning on the appliance with the cat inside will certainly result in the loss of your pet.

Can Human Food Kill your Pet?
A good rule of thumb is to avoid feeding table scraps or "people food" to your pets. Certain foods are lethal to dogs and cats. One of the most common culinary dangers for both cats and dogs is chocolate or cocoa products. Also on the do not feed list are onions, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, coffee/coffee grounds, alcoholic beverages, and avocados. Also watch out for the pits, that is cherry, peach, apricot and plum pits. These pits actually contain cyanide and should never be left around for an animal to consume. Grapes and raisins are also potential dangers that can lead to kidney failure.

Compassionate Care cautions that meat cooked for human consumption can be risky for dogs due to the enzymes created during the cooking process. Ignoring this rule could find your dog severely ill with pancreatitis, an irreversible illness that could result in death. On another level, a good meal for a dog with an upset or sensitive digestive system can be provided by boiling ground beef or chicken, rinsing well, and then mixing with rice.

Common Household Dangers
Check your home for these common dangers. Fido and Fluffy will thank you.

• To avoid a costly surgery, keep all small rubber or plastic items up and away from your pet, along with socks, nylons or any other "scented" item.
• Never let an animal play in the garage where anti-freeze might have spilled and gone unnoticed. Your animal will be drawn to its sweet smell and ingestion will result in poisoning and death.
• Watch out for lawn and garden chemicals, de-icing salts, and insect control products. These items can be potentially deadly for your pets.
• Check for wild mushrooms growing in your yard. They can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, convulsions, coma and even death.
• Never give your pet pain killers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Excedrin) ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil), cold medications, or human vitamins.
• Don't use any ointments or creams purchased for humans on your pets. Licking the medicine will make an animal very sick.
• Check your household plants before purchase. Examples of a few that are poisonous are azaleas, geraniums, lilies, mistletoe, and philodendrons.
• Be careful of rawhide chews as they can become contaminated with salmonella. Small pieces of the rawhide can also be a choking hazard.
• Remove string, dental floss, bottle caps, or any such objects from normal wastebaskets that can be accessed by your cat or dog. Cats are especially drawn to anything they see as a "play object". Bottle caps can severely cut their mouth and string can literally wind up in their intestine.

Anytime you suspect your dog or cat has ingested a foreign object or lethal substance, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Emergency pet help lines are available in most cities and a good pet first aid manual is a wise investment to have on hand in case of home emergencies.
You are your pet's best protection. Remember that without your watchful eye they could become a victim of their own environment. Don't make the mistake of assuming they will know what's best for them. Make your pet's life productive and happy by being a proactive parent. Ensure your home is a safe environment.