Our homes are meant to be safe havens, but for our furry companions, many everyday items can pose serious health risks. Pets, driven by curiosity and their sense of smell, can easily come into contact with substances that are harmful or even deadly to them. Being aware of these common household toxins and taking precautions can help prevent pet poisoning and ensure your pet lives a long and healthy life.
Kitchen Hazards
The kitchen is often a place where pets can find trouble. Some common culprits include:
- Chocolate: Especially dark and baking chocolate, contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Symptoms can range from vomiting and diarrhea to hyperactivity, tremors, and even seizures.
- Xylitol: This artificial sweetener is used in many sugar-free things, and it can make dogs’ blood sugar drop very quickly, which is dangerous. Signs can include weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, and seizures.
- Onions and Garlic: These vegetables, in all forms (raw, cooked, powdered), can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats, leading to anemia. Symptoms may include weakness, tiredness, pale gums, and vomiting.
- Alcohol: Alcoholic drinks and even foods containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems, shaking, coma, and even death in pets.
- Grapes and Raisins: These seemingly harmless snacks can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even small amounts can be poisonous. Signs may include vomiting, tiredness, drinking and peeing more (at first), and then peeing less.
Bathroom Dangers
The bathroom also holds several potential dangers for pets:
- Human Medicines: Some human medicines, like pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen, cold and flu remedies, and medicines for depression, can be very poisonous to pets and can cause stomach problems and kidney damage. Symptoms depend on the medicine but can include vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, seizures, and damage to their organs.
- Cleaning Products: Many bathroom cleaners have strong chemicals that can burn your pet’s mouth, throat, and tummy if they swallow them. Even breathing in the fumes can be harmful.
- Cosmetics and Toiletries: Things like toothpaste, mouthwash, and makeup can have ingredients that are poisonous to pets if they eat them.
Pet Poisoning Hazards – Laundry and Utility Room
These areas often contain items that can be harmful:
- Laundry Detergents and Fabric Softeners: These products can cause stomach problems and make your pet’s skin sore if they eat them. Some strong kinds can cause more serious burns.
- Bleach and Disinfectants: These are very strong and can cause bad burns if your pet swallows them or if they get on their skin or in their eyes.
- Antifreeze: As we said before, even a little bit of antifreeze, which has a substance called ethylene glycol, can cause serious kidney damage and often kills pets if they don’t get help fast.
- Paints and Solvents: These can cause stomach problems, issues with their brain and nerves, and make it hard for them to breathe if they eat them or breathe them in.
Other Household Hazards
Besides these specific rooms, other common things can be dangerous:
- Bug Sprays and Rat Poison: These are made to kill bugs and rodents, so they can also be deadly for pets if they eat them.
- Plants: Some common houseplants, like lilies, poinsettias, and azaleas, are poisonous to cats and dogs.
- Electrical Cords: Pets, especially puppies and kittens, can get a dangerous electric shock if they chew on electrical cords.
- Batteries: If your pet swallows batteries, especially the small round ones, they can cause serious burns inside their body.
What to Do If You Suspect Your Pet Has Been Poisoned
If you think your pet has ingested something toxic, it’s very important to act quickly:
- Stay Calm: Getting upset won’t help your pet.
- Keep Your Pet Away from the Poison: Stop them from eating any more of it.
- Don’t Make Your Pet Throw Up Unless Your Vet Tells You To: Some things can cause more harm if they come back up.
- Try to Find What Your Pet Ate and Keep the Container: This information is very important for the vet.
- Call Your Vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Right Away: Have the information about what your pet ate ready.
Conclusion
Keeping our pets safe from poisons in our homes means we need to know what’s dangerous and be careful. By keeping harmful things where pets can’t reach them and knowing what to do if there’s an emergency, we can help our furry friends live long and healthy lives. If you’re not sure about something, it’s always best to be careful and call your vet right away if you think your pet has eaten something harmful.
Sources : British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, National Animal Supplement Council