Common Household Items - Dangerous for Your Dog!

When you have a dog in your home, many common items need to be put where he will not be able to get into them. Many people don't realize how dangerous their house can be for a dog. Today, I'd like to help you make your home a safe place for your dogs and give you a list of items that could harm or even kill your dog. Pay close attention, these are items you probably were not even aware of how dangerous they were, but I can't stress how important it is to keep them away from your dog!!

• The first (and most commonly known) item that can be harmful to your dog is chocolate. If he eats a lot of it, he will become sick and his symptoms would include vomiting and diarrhea. Depending on how much he has eaten, he could become very sick, or he could die. It is very important to make sure your children know not to give him any treats and to keep their candy in a safe place where he cannot get to it.

• Antifreeze is another common household item (kept in the garage) that is deadly to your dog. If he were to ingest any antifreeze, he would go into convulsions and within minutes he would be dead. Antifreeze tastes sweet to dogs, so if there is any around, he will want to lick it. Keep a close eye on your garage floor, making sure all spills or leaks are cleaned up immediately!

• Something you may not think would be harmful to your dog is string, but it is very dangerous if he eats it. The string can wind around the intestine and result in the death of your dog. This problem could go undetected for quite some time, so once the string is discovered, it is almost always too late for surgery. The best way to prevent this from happening is to cut any string into short pieces this way they will not wrap around the intestines should he decide to eat it) and put it in the garbage. Your garbage should be kept in an area the dog cannot get to. Prevention is really the only thing that could save his life.

• Similar to string, pantyhose or stockings can also be ingested by your dog. The same problem occurs - the pantyhose or stocking will wrap around the intestine and your dog may die. Keep your pantyhose and stockings in a place the dog cannot get to and be sure to pick them up off the floor.

• It is common practice for owners to feed their dogs leftover bones from dinner. This includes chicken or pork bones - but the health risks to your dog are very serious. The bones can splinter and puncture his intestines. Absolutely the only type of bone you can safely give your dog is a beef shin bone (which is the part in the middle not toward the knuckle ends which your dog can chew up in large amounts causing impaction). If you aren't sure about a certain type of bone, the best thing to do is throw it out and do not give it to your dog!

• When you are walking your dog, how many of you allow him to walk on other people's lawns? This can be incredibly dangerous. Think of the chemicals people spray on their lawns to get them green and weed-free. These chemicals -although great for the lawn, can be deadly for your dog. Dogs who eat grass treated with chemicals will develop a virulent type of cancer called lymphoma. The absolute best thing you can do is walk him on the sidewalk and let him play in yards you know have not been treated with any type of chemical.

• Another thing you should look out for is your use of mouse and rat traps inside your home. Quite often the bait we use to catch those rodents is peanut butter, jelly, or sugar is very appetizing to our dogs. Be sure you supervise your dog and make sure he does not lick or eat the traps. Doing so could cause irreparable harm to him and his internal organs.

What you need to remember as a dog owner is that having a puppy or dog in the house is a lot like having small children. They will want to get into everything, it is your job to make sure they are living in a safe environment. Before you bring him home for the first time, make rounds around your house to catch anything that has even the slightest chance to harm him. Believe me, you will thank yourself later! It is always better to prevent a problem rather than help create one. Keep a close eye on your dog at all times to make sure he isn't getting into anything he shouldn't be.