Household Items that Could Harm Your Dog

As a responsible dog owner, you know not to feed your dog chocolate or chicken bones. You take your dog to the vet regularly and give it plenty of attention. Your home is cozy and has everything the dog may need. You may not know, however, that some of these common household items can be harmful to your dog.

Dogs are nosy creatures and it is part of their nature to explore. While dogs may not know any better, we as responsible owners have the obligation to keep our pets safe.

Human Medications
I have owned a Jack Russell for six years now. My dog is well behaved, although he was an unruly pup when he first came to live with me. Besides chewing up many pairs of my new and expensive shoes, Rocky got himself in trouble by eating medications. He once ate Alka Seltzers and allergy medications right off the kitchen counter. You may think that human medication is safe to lay around on kitchen counters and other furniture, but dogs have mysterious ways of reaching dangerous places. As a Jack Russell, my dog has springs in his legs and bounces like a tennis ball. I never imagined that he could jump on top of a kitchen counter, but he sure did! Rocky lived to see another day, but it taught us a good lesson. Human medication should be stored in medicine cabinets and kept far from a dog's reach. Your dog may not be able to jump on a kitchen counter, but it can possibly find a way of getting to improperly stored human medications.

Veterinary Medications
Much like human medications, veterinary medications serve a specific medical need and are given in appropriate settings as well as dosages. Veterinary medications that is prescribed to your dog should be kept away from pets and only administered as prescribed.

Foods Dangerous to Dogs
Food presents the most common danger to dogs in your household. Certain human foods such as chocolate, onions, macadamia nuts, walnuts, grapes, raisins, tomatoes, raw eggs, nutmeg, salt and sugar can be toxic and extremely dangerous to dogs. While as pet owners we know not to feed our dogs these foods, we sometimes forget to place these items away from our dog's reach. Salt and sugar can be left on the kitchen counter, or a bowl of nuts can be left out on a coffee table where a dog's snout is only inches away. For your dog's safety, keep kitchen counters clear and clean especially when you are not home.

I made a mistake once of leaving out a pizza box on the kitchen counter, with a medium cheese pizza inside. Again, a Jack Russell proved to be capable of reaching the kitchen counter and inhaling the entire pizza. His belly was upset and he smelled like pizza sauce for a week. Rocky once ate a lamb bone, which resulted in a trip to the emergency veterinary clinic. A piece of the lamb bone lodged into his stomach and he was placed on an IV drip as well as medication to help him pass it. A surgery would have been required if he did not pass the piece in a certain amount of hours. Once again, he had more luck than brains but the situation could have been far worse.

Holiday Household Decorations
New household dangers arise around the holidays and they are often holiday decorations meant to beautify your home. Christmas ornaments such as breakable orbs and decorations can be chewed up. Your dog may find your Christmas tree interesting and all the shiny ornaments appealing. Tinsel, wire ornament hooks and pine needles can be ingested and be extremely dangerous to your dog. Keep your pet safe around the holidays by placing a baby gate around the tree. Restricting access works best to keep your dog safe and still allows you to have a nicely decorated home.

Electrical Cords
Electrical cords are common household items and are used year round. Tape your electrical cord to the wall so that it is not loose or accessible to chewing. Spraying nontoxic bitter-tasting spray will help keep your dog away from the power cord. The sprays are available at pet stores and can used for puppies or adult dogs. They are good to have in the house and for spraying all types of household items such as furniture or doors.

Other Common Home Decorations
Candles and liquid potpourri are common home decorations that can be harmful to your dog. We keep our candles up on a fireplace mantle where the dogs cannot reach them. Never place liquid potpourri at a dog's level as it can cause terrible burns if ingested. Glass decorations such as candle holders and hurricanes should also be placed high enough where a dog cannot reach them. A swish of a tail can knock glass over, causing damage and your dog could get hurt.

Insecticides, Household Cleaners and Rodenticides
Common household items include household cleaners such as bleach and sprays. Keep household cleaners underneath the kitchen sink but use a child-proof cabinet lock to keep the dog away. You would be surprised by a dog's ability to sniff and open up doors. A child proof lock will keep dangerous chemicals far from your dog's nose. Insecticide sprays that are used outdoor or indoor pose the same dangers, and are extremely harmful chemicals. Place rat poisons and traps behind the fridge where your dog cannot reach it.

Plants Toxic to Dogs
Plants are a very common household item that can cause severe problems to your dog. Toxic plants include Poinsettias, Holly and mistletoe, amaryllis, chrysanthemum, rhododendron and winter broom are common Holiday plants that are toxic and dangerous to your dog. The ASPCA has a full list of plants that are toxic to dogs, but also plants that are safe to keep in a household with a dog.
The Full List of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants for Dogs

Garage Dangers
A garage may seem like a safe place to place chemicals and other dangerous items. However, your dog could access the garage and all of these harmful materials. Organize your garage as well as your home, so that dangerous chemicals such as antifreeze is placed in cabinets or high enough on shelves so that it is out of reach. Ice and snow melts, such as commercially sold salt can be harmful if ingested. Bags of snow melting salt should be kept out of reach. Salt that is already used outdoors should not be tracked in the house or on your dog's paws. Clean your dog's paws when your pet comes indoors, this will help prevent licking and ingesting of this harmful item.

Electric Blankets
An electric blanket may seem like a good idea but it can cause burns to your dog as well as a fire hazard. Your dog can stay at home and still be warm without an electric blanket. You should also never leave an electric blanket plugged in while away from home as it can cause a house fire.

Keeping Your Dog Safe At Home
Is your dog acting strange? Call your dog's veterinarian if there are any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, lethargy or bloody stools. As a responsible dog owner, it is your job to dog-proof your house, and keep your dog both happy and healthy.

Sources:

The Full List of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants for Dogs

Winter Hazards for Dogs

A "Dog's Eye View" Inspection
Will Protect Your Dog
From Household Hazards

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