Keep Your Pets Away From Household Dangers

By Staff
Keep Your Pets Away From Household Dangers

If you have a toddler or small child in your house, what all precautions you would take for his/ safety? The same could be applied in case of your household pets too. Most of the household items are not meant for animals and therefore may harm your pets. There can have allergies and health problems for your pets, even some items specifically meant for pets could cause health problems. Sharp edged items may hurt them, poisonous materials may raise even a threat to their life. It is very important to take precautionary measures to protect your pets from all types of household dangers. To protect your pet, simply use common sense and take the same precautions you would do for a child.

The most common danger that harms your pets are household poisons. Household items which contain glycol that has a sweet taste are deadly. If consumed even in small quantities, it can kill a seven-pound cat. Cocoa mulch contains ingredients that can be deadly to pets if ingested. The mulch, sold in garden supply stores, has a chocolate scent that is appetizing to some animals.


Chemicals used on lawns and gardens, such as fertilizer and plant food, can be easily accessible and fatal to a pet allowed in the yard unsupervised. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Fumes from nonstick cooking surfaces and self-cleaning ovens can be deadly to birds. Human medications such as pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins, and diet pills can all be toxic to animals.

Few of the human food items may cause health problems to pets. Common human foods to keep away from pets include onions, alcoholic beverages, yeast dough, coffee grounds, salt, macadamia nuts, tomato, potato, rhubarb leaves, avocados and anything with mold growing on it.

Sharp objects are always threats to pets. Most of the household materials are sharp edged. Always keep objects like knife, glass materials etc... away from the reach of pets. Leftovers such as chicken bones can easily shatter and choke a cat or dog. String, yarn, rubber bands, and even dental floss are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation. Toys with removable parts like squeaky toys or stuffed animals with plastic eyes can pose a choking hazard to animals.

Electric equipments raise threats to pets as there is always possibility of electric shock from these equipments. Never allow your pet to play with any of the electric items. Water containers like bowls, tanks, bathtubs... etc could be another detrimental zone for pets. Keep an eye on pets when they are near to any of the water containers.

Keep medication containers and tubes of ointments and creams away from pets who could chew through them, and be vigilant about finding and disposing of any dropped pills. pet owners use all household products with caution and keep a pet first-aid kit and manual readily available. If all of your precautions fail, and you believe that your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary service immediately. Signs of poisoning include listlessness, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, lack of coordination, and fever.

Playful pets may realise dangers only when they confront with it. It is the obligation of a loving pet owner to keep pets away from dangers. The best way to keep your pets safe and sound is to train them properly to recongnise and avoid dangers. If take care of these simple but important things your house will be the best and the safest abode for your pets.