Pet Proofing Your Home the Right Way

Before you bring a new puppy or kitten home, you should always pet proof your home much like you would for a new baby. For older pets, you should check for any previously unknown problem areas. There are many common household materials that are toxic to cats and dogs. If ingested even in small amounts, or just touched or breathed in, pets can suffer anything from minor intestinal upsets, to coma, or even death.

The most common toxic substances, given to cats and dogs, are people foods. You may think you are giving your pet a treat, but in reality some of your favorite foods may be poison to them. Unless eaten in large amounts relative to the size of the pet, most of these foods will not kill your pet. Smaller amounts, however, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and permanent organ damage.

Cats and dogs should not be given grapes, raisins, walnuts, garlic or onion in any form, baby food, chocolate, macadamia nuts, or alcohol. Large amounts of these foods could kill your pet. You should also avoid giving pets persimmons, nutmeg, poultry skin, raw potatoes, and caffienated beverages. Certain pets can be very sensitive to compounds in these foods. While these foods are not likely to cause permanent damage, a pet sensitive to these foods can still suffer some unpleasant consequences.

You should avoid giving your pet raw fish or raw eggs because they can be affected by some of the same food poisoning bacteria that affect humans. Also do not allow your pet to eat poultry or fish bones. While these are not poisonous, they can splinter when chewed and cause internal damage. Do not allow your pet to eat raw yeast dough because it can produce gas in the intestines possibly causing an internal rupture.

In addition to the above foods, cats are particularly sensitive to tomatoes, tomato products, and parts of the tomato plant. Dogs, in addition to those foods mentioned above, are particularly sensitive to some types of mushrooms. Do not feed your dog any type of mushroom or allow him to eat any wild mushrooms when he is outside. Any mushrooms or toadstools growing in your yard should be destroyed.

Dogs are also particularly sensitive to Xylitol, a sugar substitute used in medication flavorings and many sugar-free products such as candy, gum, and baked goods. Dogs can easily absorb the compound in their digestive system and suffer low blood sugar that can last for hours. As little as one or two pieces could kill a smaller dog, and five or six pieces could kill a larger dog. It has not been proven to be as toxic to cats, but it is still better to avoid giving it to them.

In addition to foodstuffs that can be toxic to pets there are many other substance that can be dangerous if ingested by your pets. Mothballs and cedar blocks, used to keep insects away from certain types of cloth, are toxic to cats and dogs. While eating one mothball or chewing on a cedar block will probably not be fatal, both these substances can cause intestinal upset, seizures, or coma. Death can result if large amounts are ingested so keep these substances out of your pet's reach and store in a sealed plastic container that cannot be chewed open.

Fabric softener sheets are also harmful to pets. They contain a detergent that is toxic and can cause mouth sores, prolonged loss of appetite, and excessive drooling. Used sheets are less toxic but can still harm your pet. Be sure to store the sheets where pets cannot get to them and promptly throw used sheets in the trash. Sniffing or licking a sheet is probably not enough exposure to cause sickness, but eating two or more sheets can cause serious symptoms depending on the size of your pet.

Many common household cleaners and disinfectants can make pets sick. Symptoms include intestinal upset, oral or internal burns, and drooling. Pets can get sick from the minor exposure of licking their paws after walking across a freshly cleaned floor so rinse the area well and keep your pets away from a cleaned surface until it completely dries.

Batteries, which contain caustic chemicals, are also dangerous to pets. The button type batteries used in small electronics and watches contain nickel, cadmium, and mercury which are harmful if ingested, and the batteries themselves present a choking hazard. The larger alkaline batteries contain battery acid that can burn a pet's mouth. Chewing or swallowing batteries can cause drooling, vomiting, choking, or burns in the mouth or esophagus.

There are also a number of small objects that pose a choking or toxic hazard to your pet. Pets can easily choke on coins or parts of small toys. Pennies, particularly those minted after 1982 are toxic because of the high level of zinc. Other bolts or screws such as those on a per carrier or kennel can be harmful if they contain zinc. Be sure and examine anyplace your pet spends a lot of time and replace any hardware with stainless steel fittings.

Pets can also be very sensitive to a small amount of many human medications, either prescription medications or over the counter remedies such as aspirin and Tylenol can be fatal. Vitamins and dietary supplements can also be dangerous because a pet's lower body weight means an adult human dose of only one pill is likely to be toxic.

These are the most common foods and substances that can make you pets sick or even cause death. For more things that are dangerous see the links at the end of this article. Keep in mind that cats in particular love to climb and jump, so putting thing up high is not always good enough. Also keep in mind that dogs, especially medium to large dogs, have very strong teeth and jaws and can and will chew open many common containers. The things most harmful to your pet should be kept somewhere completely out of their reach. Storing these substances in a bathroom, closet, or pantry with a door that shuts securely is the safest way to keep your pet healthy and safe.

Sources Pets:

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/protect_your_pet_from_common_household_dangers/foods_potentially_poisonous_to_pets.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030

Sources Cats only:

http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=1+1418

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1&aid=1029

Sources Dogs only:

http://www.vetinfo.com/dtoxin.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030