Our homes seem like the cosiest and safest places on earth, but more often than not, they’re filled with a lot of potential health hazards. Each year, thousands of pets are accidentally poisoned in their homes. But the good news is that this isn’t something that’s hard to address. Here, we list some of the most common pet hazards in your home and how you can secure your living quarters if you share it with a furry friend.
Most common pet hazards in your home
Houseplants that are toxic to animals
A lot of the plants we keep in our homes are actually toxic to animals when consumed. Easter lily, sago palm, and oleander all contain components that are deadly to small animals. Live poinsettias are also major pet hazards, and it’s something a lot of us decorate with around Christmas time. If you’re not sure whether or not a plant is hazardous, it’s always best to check in with your vet first.
Cleaning Supplies
So this one is pretty obvious, but most of our commercial cleaning solutions are hazardous to us and our pets. You might know better than to take a sip from the bleach bottle, but your dog doesn’t. All cleaning products should be sealed and safely stored out of your pet’s reach.
Certain human foods
Human food is just that – things that are safe for humans to consume. But the same cannot be said for your pet. All packaged food should be securely stored to ensure your pet can’t get hold of it when you’re not around. Don’t leave any chocolate, tea or coffee around as these can be deadly in even small quantities. Some fruits and veggies, like avo, grapes, raisins, onions and garlic, are also very dangerous to leave around. Aside from securing the fresh food, you also need to make sure your furry friend can’t get into the garbage. Food that’s been sitting in the trash can contain a lot of harmful bacteria, which can make you and your pet very, very ill.
Medication
One of the most common reasons why pet owners take their furry family members to the vet is because of accidental ingestion of human medication. Pills can easily be mistaken for dog food, and even in small amounts, it can lead to an overdose. Medications as (seemingly) harmless as cold meds, diet pills and antihistamines can be deadly on the small body of a pet.
The truth is that a lot of our human “things” can pose a threat to our furry family members. If you’re bringing any kind of animal into your home, it’s essential that you take the right steps to secure your home before doing so.
