Protect Your Dog from These Common Household Hazards
Are you aware of the wide range of common household items and products that can be hazardous to your dog's health? Although it is not all-inclusive, this article is intended to help you recognize some of the common hazards found in the home.
Home Cleaning Products
Although many household cleaning products can be used safely around dogs, it is important that they are properly stored and used responsibly. Product labels normally include appropriate warnings when their use presents a potential hazard. Review product labels for statements such as "keep children and pets away from area until completely dry". While cleaners containing chlorine bleach can safely disinfect household surfaces when used safely, they can also cause severe chemical burns when skin contact is made and are potentially lethal if swallowed. Diarrhea, excessive drooling, vomiting and stomach pain are typical symptoms of ingestion of these products.
To avoid accidents with cleaning products be sure to keep them in their original packaging if they can be tightly sealed. Packages that cannot be re-sealed should be stored in a properly labeled sealed container.
Pest Control Products (Insecticides and Herbicides)
Keep flea and tick control products, intended for external use only, well out of your dog's reach to avoid over exposure or ingestion. These products contain poisonous chemicals that can be very harmful to your pet if applied improperly.
Ingestion of mouse and rat poisons can be life-threatening. These products must be kept well sealed and out of of harm's way.
Gardening chemicals (herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides, etc.) must also be used safely in order to ensure your dog's health. When applied to lawns, keep all pets away from the treated area until it is considered safe according to the manufacturers directions. Lawn and garden chemicals that stick to your dog's paws may cause severe skin reactions. If the dog later licks his paws the chemicals may be ingested.
Food Hazards
Some foods that are perfectly fine for human consumption can be dangerous - even deadly - to dogs. No matter how much he begs, these foods should never be given to your pooch:
Alcohol, Yeast Dough, Chewing Gum, Persimmons, Raw Eggs or Fish, Nutmeg, Mushrooms, Grapes/Raisins, Chocolate, Onions, Coffee & Grounds, Tea, Garlic, Avocados, Nuts, Salt, Potato Peelings, Most Bones, Baking Soda/Powder, and Sugar Free Foods Containing Xylitol.
Keep household garbage in securely closed trash cans. For some reason dogs seem to find garbage in plastic trash bags absolutely irresistible and they can easily rip them open in search of "goodies". However, rotting food can be harboring nasty bacteria and molds that could cause your dog to suffer from food poisoning.
Hazards in the Bathroom
Medications that are intended to treat human medical conditions can make dogs very sick. Never give your dog any medicines unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so. Keep all drugs in tightly closed, secured containers well away from curious dogs. Especially dangerous common over-the-counter medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, antihistamines, cold medicines, vitamins, diet pills, and topical creams/ointments.
Health and beauty products found in most bathrooms, such as toothpaste, nail care products, skin lotions, and even some scented soaps can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Also, since dogs seem to love to drink from toilet bowls, keep those lids closed. Harsh chemicals used in toilet bowl cleaners may be hazardous for your dog.
Toxic Plants
Numerous plants typically found both inside the home and in the yard can make your dog very sick. Some of the more common hazardous plants include:
Chrysanthemum, Schefflera, Lilies, Tulip and Narcissus Bulbs, Oleander, Azalea, Rhododendron, English Ivy, Sago Palm, Cyclamen, Yew, Amaryllis, Autumn Crocus, Pothos, Hibiscus, and Hydrangea
The ASPCA website has a very useful searchable data base of both non-toxic and toxic plants for dogs, cats, and horses. Visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ to access their system.
Miscellaneous Household Hazards
-- Ethylene glycol antifreeze and coolants can be fatal, even is very small quantities. Although less toxic, propylene glycol antifreeze can still be dangerous.
-- Mothballs can be toxic to dogs particularly those containing naphthalene. They can result in blood cell damage, swelling of brain tissue, seizures, coma, and even death.
-- Tobacco products
-- Paints and Solvents
-- Strings, ribbons, and similar items can damage your dog's intestines and could be fatal if not surgically removed.
-- Tobacco products
-- Strings, ribbons, and similar items can damage your dog's intestines and could be fatal if not surgically removed.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS POISONED
Do Not Delay! Time is very critical for successful treatment of accidental poisoning. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-425-4435. Be ready to provide your dog's age, weight, breed, and any symptoms. Have the product container or a sample of the plant at hand so that the poison can be correctly identified and an appropriate treatment can be recommended.
Home Cleaning Products
Although many household cleaning products can be used safely around dogs, it is important that they are properly stored and used responsibly. Product labels normally include appropriate warnings when their use presents a potential hazard. Review product labels for statements such as "keep children and pets away from area until completely dry". While cleaners containing chlorine bleach can safely disinfect household surfaces when used safely, they can also cause severe chemical burns when skin contact is made and are potentially lethal if swallowed. Diarrhea, excessive drooling, vomiting and stomach pain are typical symptoms of ingestion of these products.
To avoid accidents with cleaning products be sure to keep them in their original packaging if they can be tightly sealed. Packages that cannot be re-sealed should be stored in a properly labeled sealed container.
Pest Control Products (Insecticides and Herbicides)
Keep flea and tick control products, intended for external use only, well out of your dog's reach to avoid over exposure or ingestion. These products contain poisonous chemicals that can be very harmful to your pet if applied improperly.
Ingestion of mouse and rat poisons can be life-threatening. These products must be kept well sealed and out of of harm's way.
Gardening chemicals (herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides, etc.) must also be used safely in order to ensure your dog's health. When applied to lawns, keep all pets away from the treated area until it is considered safe according to the manufacturers directions. Lawn and garden chemicals that stick to your dog's paws may cause severe skin reactions. If the dog later licks his paws the chemicals may be ingested.
Food Hazards
Some foods that are perfectly fine for human consumption can be dangerous - even deadly - to dogs. No matter how much he begs, these foods should never be given to your pooch:
Alcohol, Yeast Dough, Chewing Gum, Persimmons, Raw Eggs or Fish, Nutmeg, Mushrooms, Grapes/Raisins, Chocolate, Onions, Coffee & Grounds, Tea, Garlic, Avocados, Nuts, Salt, Potato Peelings, Most Bones, Baking Soda/Powder, and Sugar Free Foods Containing Xylitol.
Keep household garbage in securely closed trash cans. For some reason dogs seem to find garbage in plastic trash bags absolutely irresistible and they can easily rip them open in search of "goodies". However, rotting food can be harboring nasty bacteria and molds that could cause your dog to suffer from food poisoning.
Hazards in the Bathroom
Medications that are intended to treat human medical conditions can make dogs very sick. Never give your dog any medicines unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so. Keep all drugs in tightly closed, secured containers well away from curious dogs. Especially dangerous common over-the-counter medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, antihistamines, cold medicines, vitamins, diet pills, and topical creams/ointments.
Health and beauty products found in most bathrooms, such as toothpaste, nail care products, skin lotions, and even some scented soaps can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Also, since dogs seem to love to drink from toilet bowls, keep those lids closed. Harsh chemicals used in toilet bowl cleaners may be hazardous for your dog.
Toxic Plants
Numerous plants typically found both inside the home and in the yard can make your dog very sick. Some of the more common hazardous plants include:
Chrysanthemum, Schefflera, Lilies, Tulip and Narcissus Bulbs, Oleander, Azalea, Rhododendron, English Ivy, Sago Palm, Cyclamen, Yew, Amaryllis, Autumn Crocus, Pothos, Hibiscus, and Hydrangea
The ASPCA website has a very useful searchable data base of both non-toxic and toxic plants for dogs, cats, and horses. Visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ to access their system.
Miscellaneous Household Hazards
-- Ethylene glycol antifreeze and coolants can be fatal, even is very small quantities. Although less toxic, propylene glycol antifreeze can still be dangerous.
-- Mothballs can be toxic to dogs particularly those containing naphthalene. They can result in blood cell damage, swelling of brain tissue, seizures, coma, and even death.
-- Tobacco products
-- Paints and Solvents
-- Strings, ribbons, and similar items can damage your dog's intestines and could be fatal if not surgically removed.
-- Tobacco products
-- Strings, ribbons, and similar items can damage your dog's intestines and could be fatal if not surgically removed.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS POISONED
Do Not Delay! Time is very critical for successful treatment of accidental poisoning. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-425-4435. Be ready to provide your dog's age, weight, breed, and any symptoms. Have the product container or a sample of the plant at hand so that the poison can be correctly identified and an appropriate treatment can be recommended.
About the Author:
If you are a dog fancier please drop in at my DogBurg Blog at www.dogburg.com. Once there, you will discover more canine related articles, videos, photos, humor, and anything else we can come up with that would be of interest to dog lovers. Hope to see you inDogBurg!
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