Common Household Items That Can Be Dangerous for Your Pet
As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to provide a safe living environment for your pet, and this means taking steps to pet-proof your home and yard to make sure there aren’t any dangers accessible to your furry housemates.
Common Household Items That Are Dangerous for Pets
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
Most over-the-counter and prescription medications for humans are toxic for pets. If they aren’t toxic, they are not in the proper dosage for animals which makes them just as dangerous. Store your medications and your pet’s medications well out of their reach.
Human Foods
Several of your favorite foods are actually toxic for pets. Store human foods in a secure location and don’t leave treats unattended at parties.
Household Chemicals
Most household chemicals used for cleaning are toxic to animals. This includes disinfecting agents, laundry detergents, soaps, shampoos, and more. Keep these stored in a pet-proof location and keep your pets away from these chemicals while you are cleaning. For example, if you mop your floors, be sure they are dry before you allow your pet to walk over them.
Plants
Several popular indoor and outdoor plants are poisonous to dogs, cats, and other animals. Before bringing a houseplant into your home or choosing plants for your outdoor garden, check this list of toxic and non-toxic plants from the ASPCA.
Insecticides and Rodenticides
These household items contain chemicals that are meant to kill, so it might seem obvious that they are also poisonous to pets. However, it’s worth mentioning that these should be stored well out of the reach of your pets and also used with extreme caution in and around your home.
What to Do If Your Pet Ingest a Poisonous Substance
If you suspect your pet has ingested a poisonous or toxic substance, contact Animal Poison Control and immediately seek emergency veterinary care.
Step Up Your Pet's Wellness and Preventative Care With a Pet Wellness Plan in Pensacola
In addition to creating a pet-safe home for your dog or cat, you can also give them a long, healthy, and happy life with high-quality wellness and preventative veterinary care. At Olive Branch Pet Hospital in Pensacola, we’ve simplified wellness and preventative care for pets with specially designed wellness plans for puppies, kittens, adult pets, and senior pets. To learn more about your pet’s wellness or to schedule an appointment, we welcome you to contact us today.
