Most pet owners try to protect their pets as much as possible while on walks, in the car, or away from home, but did you know that some of the biggest hazards to your pet’s well being are found right inside your home? Many of the regularly used products we find lying around our home are quite harmful to our pets, whether we know it or not.

We all like to indulge in our pets and give them a special treat of people food every once in a while, but some of those “treats” could inadvertently make your pet very ill or even cause death! Most pet owners are well aware of the dangers chocolate can cause to our canine friends, but there are many other foods that are just as dangerous. Raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, walnuts, potato peels, tomatoes, coffee, and avocados are all quite harmful too! Xylitol is an ingredient often used in sugar free candy, cookies, and gum and even in small doses can cause liver damage and low blood sugar in dogs! Cooked bones of any type should be avoided – once a bone is cooked, it will easily splinter and can tear your dog’s internal organs! Fruit pits and seeds such those from apples, cherries, and peach pits contain cyanide, which is a poison.

Did you know that many of the common plants found in or outside of your home are harmful or deadly to your pets? Azaleas, lilies, oleander, rhododendron, sago palms, tulip bulbs, yew, ferns, aloe, elephant ears, honeysuckle, mistletoe, poinsettias, holly, and many types of ivy are all very common, and very dangerous to your pet! Before you buy new plants, check to make sure they are not harmful to your pets. In some cases, it just takes ingestion of one leaf to kill! If you do have indoor plants, make sure that they are out of the reach of your pet, such as on a high shelf or counter. If you have a cat that likes to climb or a dog that gets into everything, you may want to consider getting rid of any harmful plants all together… Better safe than sorry!

Most household cleaners are safely used around pets. However, always make sure that these products are safely put away. If ingested, these same products are not so safe! Pine oil cleaners can cause liver damage if ingested. Some dogs and cats like to drink out of the toilet bowl. If you use any sort of puck that remains in the bowl to clean it automatically, you are better off keeping the lid closed- These chemicals are hazardous to your pet’s health and should not be ingested! Mouse and insect killers that are placed around the house can harm your pet’s paws if they come in contact with it. They are also damaging if your pet eats them! Keep all cleaning products in a secure cabinet out of the reach of your pet and keep them in their original packaging or a clearly labeled and tightly sealed container.

There are many other every day things around your house that can hurt your pets if ingested, such as tobacco, mothballs, NSAIDS such as Tylenol and aspirin, fabric softener, detergents, and sun block. Pennies minted after 1982 contain zinc, which can cause kidney failure and damage to red blood cells if eaten. Any small objects such as toys, string, or rubber bands can pose a choking hazard, as well as cause intestinal blockage or strangulation.

It is always a good idea to have a pet first aid kit , in case of emergency, but if your pet comes in contact with a toxin, its best to take them immediately to a vet. Some signs of poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, listlessness, fever, and muscle tremors. Timing is critical when treating accidental poisoning. The longer a toxin is present in your pet’s body, the more damage done!