Avoid These Pet Hazards in Your Home

We know you’re conscientious about your pet’s safety—with that being said, having a few pet hazards in your home is almost unavoidable! The trick is knowing what they are and preventing the danger ahead of time. Learn more here from a Castle Hills, TX veterinarian.

Toxic Foods

Grapes, raisins, chocolate, candy, gum, onions, garlic, chives, leeks, scallions, shallots, avocado, macadamia nuts, fatty foods, caffeinated foods and beverages, alcoholic beverages… the list of potentially harmful human foods for pets is quite long! Always store dangerous foods inside closed cabinets or the refrigerator, and keep your pet out of the kitchen during meal preparation.

Human Medications

A wide variety of human medicines—prescription pills, over-the-counter drugs, antidepressants, even cough syrup and standard aspirin—can prove harmful to a pet who ingests them. Never allow your pet access to the medicine cabinet; keep it sealed at all times, and store your pet’s medications separately from your own.

Poisonous Plants

Many indoor and outdoor plants, including dieffenbachia, elephant ear, oleander, ivy, poinsettias, the sago palm, various species of aloe plant, and many more, can be toxic to pets. Common flowers—lilies, tulips, daffodils, and chrysanthemums, to name a few—are also dangerous. Check with your veterinarian to find out what kinds of toxic plant life is common where you live, and remove any dangerous plants or flowers from your home and property at once.

Cleaning Supplies

Just about every cleaning product you can think of contains at least one ingredient that wouldn’t agree with a pet. Everything from household disinfectants and air fresheners to toilet bowl cleaner and carpet shampoo can pose a threat. To be safe, store cleaning chemicals in a sealed closet or cabinet where pets can’t reach. While you’re using chemicals for cleaning, keep your pet elsewhere until you’re done.

Pesticide Products

Pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and related products are not safe to use around pets. If you’re spraying chemicals outdoors, keep your pet inside and don’t let them come into contact with freshly treated grass or garden plants. If you set up pesticides around your home, place them where pets can’t reach—remember that these products are designed to kill!

These aren’t the only pet toxins out there, but you can keep your animal companion safe with preventative steps. Call your Castle Hills, TX animal hospital for more information on toxic materials in your home. We’re here to help!