Have you ever come home from a brief or extended outing and found that your dog has completely ripped apart your kitchen garbage? Although this is at the very least an annoying and messy problem to deal with, it can also be quite dangerous for the dog. Depending on what was consumed and in what quantity, a dog could potentially become very sick from eating out of the garbage. If this is an occasional problem in your home or a more frequent one, read this article for tips and suggestions on how to solve this problem and protect both your dog and your home.
Be Mindful Of What You Place In The Household Garbage. Many dogs simply cannot resist pieces of leftover chicken and beef placed in the garbage after a meal. Many dogs keep a close eye on the cleaning up process in the kitchen and have a terrific sense of smell. Though your dog may have just enjoyed a hearty dinner, they may not be able to resist the temptation of helping themselves to your dinner scraps. Take the extra few steps in removing the indoor garbage bag and placing it in an outside receptacle immediately. Simply removing the temptation can often be enough to curb this problem. Be aware of your own dog’s quirks and unique temptations as well. Unfortunately, one of my dogs cannot resist chewing up disposable razors. If she spots one being threw away in the bathroom trash, she simply has to remove it and chew on it until it is in a ton of little pieces. Obviously this concerns me as razors are sharp and can potentially cause her a terrible injury. I now make sure to immediately dispose of a used razor in the outside trash instead of placing it in the bathroom wastebasket.
Consider The Fact That You May Be Underfeeding Your Dog. Many dog owners are concerned about canine obesity and rightfully so. An overweight dog is an unhealthy dog. However, you may inadvertently underfeeding your pet. This can lead to a dog eating out of the garbage simply because they are hungry. Take your dog’s age, weight and activity level into account and make any necessary adjustments. Consult with your dog’s veterinarian if you are unsure about the appropriate amount of food to serve your dog.
Make The Garbage Inaccessible To Your Dog. If you are feeding your dog an appropriate amount of food, and you are cautious about what is thrown away each and every day, your dog could simply be bored while you are not at home and a little mischievous as well. Be sure to spend plenty of time with your pet while you are at home and provide dog toys and safe chewy materials for your dog to entertain himself with when alone. Take steps to make the household garbage inaccessible to your dog. This can include placing on a high chair or putting behind a door or screened in area when you are not able to supervise the pet.
