While you’ve pet-proofed your home as much as possible, what you don’t know can still hurt your furry companion. For example, you might not know some common household items are toxic to your pet because they aren’t harmful to humans. Take chocolate, for instance. Chocolate contains caffeine and a chemical called theobromine. Dogs can’t metabolize theobromine the way people can. Dark chocolate contains more of this substance than milk or white chocolate, and it can make dogs very sick. While canine chocolate consumption doesn’t usually prove fatal, it can kill a small dog that eats a lot of it at once.
Dangerous Foods
Besides chocolate, other dangerous foods for pets include:
- Grapes – renal failure is possible.
- Macadamia nuts –while nuts contain fat and can cause gastrointestinal problems, macadamia nuts can cause tremors, weakness,
- Onions – toxins in all parts of the onion can cause red blood cell destruction, leading to hemolytic anemia in pets. Keep in mind that onion powder is found in many human foods, so always read labels.
- Garlic – consumption can also lead to anemia in pets.
- Raw bread dough – the yeast in raw dough can rise in the pet’s stomach, potentially twisting it.
- Xylitol – this artificial sweetener found in gum, toothpaste, and other sugar-free items causes hypoglycemia in dogs. Symptoms include lethargy, seizures, vomiting – and death.
Of course, dogs should never have access to alcohol. After drinking alcohol, dogs may vomit, experience respiratory issues, or go into a coma. Excessive amounts of alcohol can kill. Dogs getting into cannabis edibles can suffer THC poisoning.
If your pet consumes any of these items, call your veterinarian immediately.
Cleaning Products
When it comes to pets, never make the mistake of thinking something smells too bad to taste. That’s why you should never leave cleaning products such as bleach or ammonia where a pet can get them. The same holds true for paint, glue, detergents, fabric softener, and other products. Store these items where a pet can’t reach them or place child-proof locks on the cabinets.
Poisonous Plants
All sorts of indoor and outdoor plants present a potential harm to pets. Some of the most common dangerous plants include:
- Amaryllis
- Azalea
- Daffodils
- Hibiscus
- Hyacinths
- Lilies
- Oleander
- Philodendron
- Tulips
- Yew bush
While poinsettias are often on the toxicity warning list, your pet would have to eat considerable amounts before falling ill. Still, avoid having too many poinsettias around during the holidays or keep your pets away from them.
Many common garden products are toxic to animals. Keep your pets away from fertilizers, as well as herbicides. Mulch is another culprit, especially cocoa mulch. That combines fertilizer and chocolate!
Other Considerations
You already know it’s not safe to expose your pet to pesticides and rodenticides. However, what you may not realize is that flea and tick products designed for dogs can kill cats. If you live with both species in your home, make sure that anything you use on Fido will not harm Fluffy.
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