We have insurance for our homes, cars, and medical needs, but when it comes to our pets, an illness or injury generally means paying money to the vet. One way to minimize your chances of a vet visit is to make sure your home is pet-safe. Unlike child-proofing, pet-proofing doesn't involve buying outlet covers, it just means following some common-sense guidelines.



String Theory: Ribbon, twine, dental floss, and string can all be ingested by your pet, either intentionally or accidentally, and when that happens, the string can get stuck in their intestinal tract and cause serious ? even fatal ? damage. Be sure to store thread and yarn in secure places, vacuum often, and at Christmas time, skip the tinsel.

Food for Thought: Many foods that we humans eat with no problems, among them macadamia nuts, grapes, chocolate, avocado, coffee, and onions are toxic for pets, as are several common house plants (lilies are toxic for cats, for example). Keep all food away from your animals, and resist the urge to feed them table scraps.

Don't be Blue: Those drop-in toilet tank cleaners may get rid of "ring around the rim" but if you have a dog who thinks the toilet is his or her personal water fountain, chemically treated water can be extremely dangerous.

Just Say No to Drugs: Or at least make sure all medications, even things like Aleve, Tylenol and vitamins, are put away where Fluffy and Fido can't reach them. If you drop a pill, be certain to pick it up immediately.

Put a Lid On It: Pets love to go dumpster diving, and can often end up chewing or swallowing extremely dangerous things ? razor blades, moldy food and discarded plastic zip ties have all caused serious damage. Make sure that your trash can has a lid on it, and keep it somewhere the pets can't reach, like under the sink or in the garage, especially when you're away.

If your cat or dog does get into something foul, first wash anything of their fur with soap and warm water, before they can lick it off, and if they get sick, call your vet, or know the number of an after-hours emergency clinic. Pets are often considered part of the family, so protect them as you would your children or your belongings, and they'll be with you for a long time.