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Hazards Around The Home

Posted in Pet News | September 29th, 2011

Hazardous Household Items
Make your home a safer place for your pets by keeping them away from the following hazardous household items, plants, foods, objects and trouble areas.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
Antidepressants
Home insect products
Bleach
Disinfectants
Lead
Mothballs
Solvents (paint thinners, etc.)
Drain cleaners
Liquid potpourri
Oven cleaner sprays
Fly bait
Tobacco products

Aceteminophen
Cold and flu medications
Vitamins
Rat and mouse bait
Diet pills
Frabric softener
Lighter fluid
Anti-cancer drugs
Over the counter flea and tick medications
Slug and snail bait
Lime/scale remover
Detergents

Harmful Foods
You should never let your dogs or cats eat any of these foods. Be sure to store them where your pets can’t find them.

Avocados
Chocolate (All Forms)
Coffee (All Forms)
Onions & Onion Powder
Garlic
Grapes
Raisins
Macadamia Nuts

Alcoholic Beverages
Moldy or Spoiled Foods
Salt
Fatty Foods
Gum, Candy or other foods sweetened with Xylitol
Tea Leaves
Raw Yeast Dough

Objects
These household objects can cause puncture wounds, choking, or internal organ damage to your pets. Make sure they aren’t left lying around.

Balls (Specifically balls that are small or have a smooth outer coating)
Batteries
Bread Twist Ties
Buttons
Coins
Cotton Balls
Glass
Hair Pins
Jewelry

Nylons
Paper Clips
Plastic Wrap
Socks
Rubber Bands
Sharp Objects (Knife, Razors, Nails, Needles, Etc.)
String, Yarn or Dental Floss
Towels
Wax

Trouble Areas
Dogs and cats are more likely to be injured in these areas of your home. Keep your pets away from these places or watch them closely when they’re near them if you can.
Balconies — Tall balconies without safety railings, or railings spaced too far apart, can lead to a dangerous fall.
Bath Tubs or Sinks — Small pets can drown in full bath tubs or sinks.
Doors and Windows — Dogs and cats can run away if they find an open door. Windows should have screens to prevent cats or other pets from falling out.
Electrical Cords — Your pets can be electrocuted if they bite or chew on cords that are plugged in.
Fireplace — Your pets can get burned by the flames or get sick of they eat the ashes.
Toilets — Toilet water is not healthy for your pets to drink.
Washer and Dryer — Your pets can crawl into a washer or dryer without your knowledge; close the doors to these appliances when you are not using them.

Outside the Home
Make sure your pets are safe as they enjoy the outdoors by keeping them away from these potential dangers.
Algae — Can be found in ponds or other bodies of water; certain forms can be toxic.
Antifreeze/Coolant — Some types of antifreeze or coolant products contain ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats, even in small amounts.
Fire Pits or Grills — Flames can result in serious burns and ashes can cause illness if ingested.
Fences or Gates — Your pets can run away if they find openings in damaged fences or gates. They can also get hurt or strangled if they get stuck.
Deck Lattice — Your dogs or cats can get stuck in teh openings under your deck.
De-icing Salts — Some formulations may contain chemicals that are hazardous to pets if ingested in large amounts. Look for “Pet Friendly” de-icing salts.
Compost — Particularly if moldy.
Gasoline and Oil
Pesticides
Cocoa bean shell mulch fertilizer
Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs — Never leave your pet unattended near uncovered pools, even if they can swim.

Poison Plants
Do you have any of these plants in or around your home? If so, make sure they’re in places where your pets can’t reach them, or consider getting rid of them altogether.