Household Hazards and Poisons

If you think your pet is safe in your home, you may want to think again. Many ordinary household objects can pose a serious threat to your resident animal. Educate yourself on these dangerous items, and make sure that your pet stays healthy and safe.

Choking
Dogs and cats are notorious for making chew-toys out of just about anything. The trouble is: pets can easily choke on many household items. You might be surprised to learn that washcloths are a common cause of death for dogs and cats. Puppies especially like to chew on them, and once the fibers come loose, they can cause an animal to choke. The same is true of shoelaces, pantyhose, and fabric softener sheets, which can also contain toxic substances. You'll also need to beware of dental floss, another surprisingly hazardous item. If an animal ingests floss, it can become tangled in its intestines and cause lacerations.

Small items are often the cause of choking in pets. Pay attention not to leave pieces of foil, coins, batteries, small balls and toys, pencils, rubber bands and other such items in places where your furry friend may have access to them. Younger animals tend to be more curious, so take special care while your pet is in its first year.

Toxins
We humans use a great number of toxic substances around the house. We can do this because we know enough not to ingest them, but unfortunately our pets don't. Often animals will come in contact with poisonous substances, and then lick themselves, causing sickness or even death.

When you have a pet, you should pay special attention to the cleaning products you use around the house and in your pet's area. If you can, make use of substances like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and club soda. When mixed correctly, these natural products can clean just as well as other commercial -- but toxic -- substances.

Pay special attention to cleaning products with the ingredient lye. Lye is extremely toxic to animals and should not be used in a pet-friendly house. Also watch out for pesticides and rodent and insect traps that contain poisons.

While it's not usually fatal, try to prevent your pets from drinking from the toilet bowl. Bacteria can grow in the bowl and cause problems in the gastrointestinal tract. If you use cleansing tablets in the bowl, be sure to buy non-toxic ones in the event that your pet does decide to take a drink!

Other Accidents
We’ve all heard the saying: "Curiosity killed the cat." Don’t give your pet the chance to get hurt while exploring.

Always close the doors of dishwashers, microwaves, clothes washers and dryers. These appliances make prime sleeping places for cats, but if they are turned on, you’ll have to pray that your cat actually does have nine lives.

If you have a fireplace, always keep the grate up to prevent your furry friend from learning about fire. The same goes for swimming pools. Keep it covered when it’s not in use to prevent drowning.