If you have a pet living in your home, then you must be well aware of how playful and curious pets could become. But did you ever know that the most ordinary items in your home could potentially threaten your dog or cat the most? From kitchen to garage, peril lies in wait in places you never realized. Let’s walk through the 12 most dangerous household items for pets so you can get your friends home safe and sound.
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is infamous in the pet world and rightfully so. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which will kill your pet’s nervous system and heart. The most toxic ones are dark chocolate and baking chocolate. The signs of chocolate poisoning include nervousness, vomiting, tremors, seizures, and even arrhythmias of the heart. If your pet has eaten chocolate, bring any package that you can find with you to the veterinarian so they can evaluate the type and amount consumed.
2. Xylitol (Sugar-Free Sweeteners)
Xylitol, a common sugar substitute that occurs in gum, candy, baked goods, and toothpaste, is poisonous to dogs. It causes a rapid decrease in blood sugar and, in some cases, acute liver failure. The signs of vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination progress quickly. Get immediate veterinary care if you think your pet has ingested something that contains xylitol.
3. Grapes, Raisins, and Currants
These harmless-looking fruits can bring about instant kidney failure in canines, and even small amounts are dangerous. What makes them toxic is not known, but the consequence is well understood. If you find your pet eating grapes or raisins, don’t wait for the symptoms take veterinary treatment at once.
4. Human Medicines (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Prescription Medicines)
Most over-the-counter and prescription medications are safe for humans but can be lethal for animals. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause major anemia and liver collapse, especially in cats. Ibuprofen and naproxen can cause stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and neurological impairment. One pill that is dropped could be catastrophic, so always keep medications out of paws’ reach and never give your pet human medication except on direction by a vet.
5. Batteries
Whether it’s for a toy or a remote control, batteries are everywhere and dogs enjoy chewing on them. Swallowing or biting into a battery will cause painful mouth, esophagus, and stomach ulcers, and the contents are toxic. Rush your pet to the vet if you believe it has swallowed a battery.
6. Unbaked Bread Dough
If you’re a home baker, beware: unbaked bread dough can expand in your pet’s warm stomach, causing painful bloating and potentially life-threatening complications. The yeast in the dough also produces alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning, seizures, and respiratory failure. Keep rising dough well out of reach.
7. Cleaning Products and Detergents
Bleach, drain cleaners, and household cleaners are all toxic if swallowed and lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal ulcers. Some products, like drop-ins in toilet tanks, are especially tempting to pets who like drinking from the bowl. Store cleaning chemicals in high shelves or locked cabinets.
8. Antifreeze and Automotive Products
Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is particularly dangerous because of its sweetness, which attracts pets. A teaspoon will cause kidney failure and death in cats, and a tablespoon will kill dogs. Windshield washer fluid and gasoline from cars are also poisonous. Spills must be immediately cleaned up and these items kept out of reach.
9. Toxic Plants (Lilies, Sago Palm, Tulip Bulbs)
Most popular houseplants and garden flowers are poisonous for pets. Lilies will kill a cat with kidney failure, and sago palms will kill a dog or cat with liver failure. Tulip bulbs, amaryllis, azaleas, and dieffenbachia are just as dangerous. Do not bring the new plant home without first checking whether it’s pet-friendly.
10. Rodenticides and Insecticides
Rodenticides and some flea and tick treatments are toxic to pets if ingested. Internal bleeding, kidney dysfunction, and seizures may follow from ingestion of the active ingredients in these products. Use pest control as labeled on product labels and do not use insecticides approved for dogs on cats.
11. Onions, Garlic, and Related Foods
Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives cause anemia and gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. Raw, cooked, or powdered, these substances should be kept from reaching the animals. Chronic exposure can lead to critically low numbers of red blood cells.
12. Quick Action Steps if Suspected Poisoning
If your pet likely ingested something poisonous, don’t wait for something to happen. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately. Don’t try to make them vomit unless told to do so by a professional. Bring any packaging or samples of the substance to your vet so they can best advise.
Prevention is your best option. Install child-proof locks on cupboard doors, keep medicine and household cleaners out of reach, and never forget what is within your pets’ reach. Even the most well-behaved critters get curious, so an extra precaution goes a long way to protect your furry family members.