Common household hazards for your pets

Common household hazards for your pets:

• Antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that attracts animals but is deadly if consumed in even small quantities; one teaspoon can kill a seven-pound cat. I recommend pet owners use a safe antifreeze in their vehicles. Look for antifreeze that contains propylene glycol, which is safe for animals if ingested in small amounts. Ethylene glycol can also be found in common household products like snow globes, so be sure to keep these things out the reach of animals.
• Cocoa mulch contains ingredients that can be deadly to pets if ingested. The mulch, sold in garden supply stores, has a chocolate scent that is appetizing to some animals.
• Chemicals used on lawns and gardens, such as fertilizer and plant food, can be easily accessible and fatal to a pet allowed in the yard unsupervised.
• De-icing salts used to melt snow and ice are paw irritants that can be poisonous if licked off. Paws should be washed and dried as soon as the animal comes in from the snow. Other options include doggie boots with Velcro straps to protect Fido’s feet, and making cats indoor pets.
• Cans and garbage can pose a danger when cats or smaller dogs attempt to lick food from a disposed can, sometimes getting their head caught inside the can. To be sure this doesn’t happen, squeeze the open end of the can closed before disposing.
• Traps and poisons. Pest control companies frequently use glue traps, live traps and poisons to kill rodents.  Even if you would never use such methods to eliminate rodents, your neighbor might.  Dogs and cats can be poisoned if they eat a rodent who has been killed by poison (called secondary poisoning).
• Grapes and Raisins Just a handful of grapes or raisins can damage your pet’s kidneys or even prove deadly. Even small amounts in trail mix or snack boxes can be dangerous
• Sweeteners Many sugarless gums and candies contain xylitol., a sweetener that is acutely toxic to dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, weakness, a life threatening drop in blood sugar, loss of muscle control, seizures and liver failure.
• Caffeine Coffee, tea, energy drinks, dietary pills or anything else containing caffeine should never be given to your pet, as they can affect the heart, stomach, intestines and nervous system.
• Onions and Garlic Large amounts of onions and garlic in any form-even powdered-can endanger your pets health. Effects can range from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe anemia.
• Chocolate Cocoa and chocolate contain theobromine, a chemical that can affect heart rhythm and cause vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, if ingested by pets.
• Yeast Dough Uncooked dough that contains yeast can expand and release gasses in your pets stomach or intestines, resulting in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even life threatening bloat and a twisted stomach. Some yeast dough also ferments into alcohol, which can cause alcohol toxicity.