Most of us have enough common sense to know which household items are dangerous to us. You wouldnt find the average person drinking bleach or nibbling on a soap bar. If youre a pet owner, the chances are that you keep the items that you know are toxic to humans well away from your animals too. What many pet owners dont realize, however, is that there are a number of items we use and have around us every day that are perfectly safe for humans but potentially toxic for our beloved pets. Being aware of these possible hazards will help keep your pet safer and you might be surprised at some of the items on the list.
Foods
It is practically impossible to keep the kitchen clean all day every day and you will probably leave some sort of food lying on the worktop at some point. If you have a dog or a cat youll already know how quickly they can spot and make a move towards unwatched food so it is important to be aware of things, which might be poisonous to them. It is a common misconception that animals will not eat something if it is bad for them many animals will eat whatever is available and as their owner it is your job to keep one eye on them when there is food around.
Foods that are toxic include onions, garlic, salt, chocolate, yeast, coffee, sweets, chewing gum, grapes and raisins, tea and alcohol. Of course, if you have pets there is no reason why you cant still enjoy these foods but it is important to be aware that they could be harmful to your pet.
Many dog owners assume that their pet will want the left over bones of their Sunday roast. However, these are also potentially harmful. Small bones, such as those found in chicken, splinter easily and could injure your dogs mouth, intestines or stomach.
Household Products
The safety of household products is less ambiguous than that of food. The majority of products are labeled stating whether they are safe for animals or not. As a general rule, it is a good idea to assume that all household chemicals should be kept away from your pets. This includes cleaning products and insecticides. However, as any pet owner knows, having an animal in the house usually means there is more to clean up. So what can you do? There are more special animal-friendly cleaning brands being produced all the time so if you feel unsure about using normal household products around your pets it might be worth trying one of these. Otherwise, try to go for products that are predominantly made of natural ingredients and always keep them out of the reach of your pets.
Aside from the items listed above, certain species of household plants can also be toxic to animals. If in doubt, do some research before buying them so you know your pets will be safe? The same could be said for any household item if in doubt check whether it could potentially harm your pet or not. By following your common sense and keeping the house tidy, your pet will have a safer living environment.
