Household Hazards for your Pet There are many items around your home that have the potential to be hazardous to your pet. Some are more obvious than others. In this issue, I’m going to highlight some of the more common perils (but I’m not going to discuss obvious hazards such as cars, sharp objects, small toys, etc). In any room of the house, you need to be aware of dangling cords hanging from curtains or blinds, which are fun for young pets to play with, and can become wrapped around their legs or neck. Rubber bands seem to be very tempting to chew upon, as are string and thread. All of these items can cause serious problems if swallowed, getting tangled up in the intestinal tract and leading to intestinal impaction or perforation (especially if the thread is attached to a needle!). Electrical cords and wires can cause shocks or electrical burns if chewed. Batteries contain toxic chemicals that may be released if they are chewed on, and if they are swallowed, they may cause an intestinal obstruction. Cigarettes and cigarette butts will easily cause nicotine poisoning in small pets. In the kitchen or bathroom, household cleaners, including some toilet bowl cleaners, can be either poisonous or caustic (causing irritation or burns). Soaps and dishwater detergents can cause stomach upsets, and some can cause caustic burns. Uncooked bread dough can continue to rise in the stomach and cause a mechanical obstruction; the yeast can ferment, releasing alcohol, causing intoxication. Large quantities of onions are toxic (a large quantity of onions for a small dog or a cat may be surprisingly small, because the toxic dose is based on the size of the animal). Chocolate, coffee, and other stimulants can cause a dose-related toxicity. Garbage bags and composters may contain spoiled foods that could contain harmful bacteria including salmonella. Over-the-counter medications can be very harmful, especially to cats. A single regular strength acetaminophen tablet can be fatal. Acetylsalicylic acid products are harmful to all pets, depending on the dose. Pepto-bismol and Kaopectate contain salicylates and therefore have the same potential to be poisonous. Other medications that can be harmful include antihistamines, herbal preparations, topical ointments, and multivitamins. Prescription drugs should always be kept out of harm’s way. Some plants are very toxic, including poinsiettas and some members of the lily family – including Easter lilies, Tiger lilies and some species of day lilies. Fertilizers and other lawn care products may contain ingredients that are toxic if ingested by animals. Pesticides including rat poison and slug baits are very harmful to pets, and are usually flavoured in such a way as to be very tempting to the pet’s palate. In the garage, harmful products include motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, bags of cement, and lawn care products. Antifreeze is extremely toxic and can cause kidney failure if even a small amount is consumed. The lime in cement is extremely alkaline and can cause serious chemical burns, especially if it gets into the eyes. For more general information, visit the website www.aspca.org, or speak with your veterinarian. |
