If you’re in the middle of spring cleaning your home, please take extra caution to keep your dogs and cats safe during the process. The Meowing Vet‘s safety checklist is a vital guide of the potential Top 20 household pet hazards that all pet owners need to know, regardless of the time of year.
Learn more below… 🏡
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #1: Cleaning Products
While dried Swiffer® Wet Jet™ residue on your floors is likely not as toxic to your pets as some people assume, consuming liquid or powdered cleaning products can be very dangerous. Certain cleaners, soaps, and detergents may not only cause GI irritation, leading to vomiting and diarrhea, but other products such as chlorine bleach and drain or oven cleaners can be deadly. Ingesting such products cause severe and painful scalding of the esophageal and gastric linings, blood pH abnormalities, difficulty breathing, coma, and possible fatality. Other disinfectants and detergents may cause kidney or liver failure, destruction of red blood cells, and also death. Paint, solvents, furniture varnish, and nail polish remover are also toxic to dogs and cats if eaten. Use child-proof locks if necessary to keep your nosy pet from exploring products under the kitchen or bathroom sink. And always close the toilet lid to prevent your pets from drinking water (and toxic toilet bowl cleaner) from the porcelain throne.
If you suspect that your dog or cat has ingested a toxic substance, please consult your local veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at 1-(888) 426-4435.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #2: Mixing Bleach with Pet Urine
Before you reach for chlorine bleach to clean or remove stains after your pet’s urinary accident, think again! Chemicals in chlorine bleach can react with ammonia in dog and cat urine to create a very toxic gas that is extremely dangerous to both pets and to humans if inhaled. Choose a pet-safe cleaner for pee pee instead.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #3: Essential Oils
Whether you’re using essential oils to give your home a pleasant aroma or to help you de-stress in the bath for a bit of self-care, steer your dog and especially your kitty away from most of these natural products. Essential oils can be very toxic to cats if applied to the skin or fur as well as if consumed. Health effects include gastrointestinal upset, neurological abnormality, as well as kidney or liver damage. Essential oils may also be components in human shampoos and conditioners, so never use human products to bathe your pets. Always choose a pet-safe shampoo or conditioner for your feline or canine companion.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #4: Expanding Glues
Gorilla® Glue and other expanding wood glues are very hazardous to pets if ingested. Chemicals in the glue react with gastric acid, causing massive expansion of the glue inside the stomach which can lead to difficulty breathing, circulatory disturbances, and rupture of the stomach. Gastric surgery is typically required to remove the enlarged glue product (see image above).
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #5: Rat Poison
We’ve discussed the health horrors of accidental rat bait (or rodenticide) ingestion by dogs and cats in our previous article on The Meowing Vet. Consuming mouse poison can kill pets if they’re not promptly diagnosed and treated by your vet. And despite treatment in certain circumstances, long-lasting health problems may persist. Keep your pets away from rat bait at all costs, and consider using a live mouse trap around your home instead. Bait stations for other pests, such as snail and slug bait (metaldehyde), are also extremely toxic, causing GI and and nervous system poisoning. Boric acid-based ant traps aren’t as toxic, though some GI upset (vomiting or diarrhea) may result if consumed.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #6: Moth Balls
I love my cashmere sweaters as much as any other girl, but before placing moth balls in my closet, I think about the implications they may have on my pets’ health. Moth balls that contain naphthalene are especially toxic if swallowed by your dog or cat. Naphthalene may cause not only GI upset, but also severe neurological dysfunction (including seizure activity) and red blood cell damage: methemoglobinemia in which red blood cells cannot deliver oxygen properly to the body’s cells. Other moth balls may contain paradichlorobenzene (a.k.a. p-dichlorobenzene), which causes vomiting and neurological damage. Both products can also cause possible kidney disease or cataract formation if eaten.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #7: Trash
We’ve all known a dog (or cat!) who steals from the garbage bin. If your pet likes to garbage-dive, keep a lid on your rubbish, child-proof your bins, or else lock your trash cans in a room where your pets don’t have access. Kitchen trash may contain spoiled food or human table scraps that are toxic to your pets if eaten (read more in #8 below). Meat, poultry, or fish bones can also be dangerous if eaten, causing damage to the GI tract if they splinter or form an obstruction. Plastic bags (such as potato chip bags) can also be deadly as they can cause suffocation if they become lodged on your dog or cat’s head. Bathroom trash is off limits too! Used feminine and intimacy products (such as sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and condoms) can all cause gastrointestinal foreign body risks if ingested by your pet.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #8: Toxic Human Foods
The Meowing Vet has discussed human foods that are toxic to pets in our previous article. Learn why the following foods should not routinely be fed to dogs and cats.
- chocolate
- caffeine (coffee, tea)
- alcohol
- grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants
- onions, garlic, chives
- macadamia nuts
- bread dough
- raw meat, fatty meats
- fried or oily foods
- dairy products
- sugar-free gum (and other products containing xylitol)
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #9: Dangerous Medications
Prevent your pet from perusing your medicine cabinet to prevent accidental toxicity from human medications, supplements, and vitamins. Certain human medications can be deadly to dogs and cats if consumed by mistake. This means both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Never give most human pain medications to your pet, such as NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, the active ingredient in products such as Advil®) or acetaminophen (like Tylenol® or Paracetamol®), and especially don’t offer them to your cat! Felines are especially sensitive to the toxic effects of these medications. Take heed to prevent your pets from accessing any other medications or supplements as well, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, medications for high blood pressure, or multivitamins. Take caution as well when dosing one pet with a medication intended for another animal. Always ask your vet for advice before giving a non-prescribed medication, supplement, or vitamin to any pet. Also, be sure to keep your *ahem* “herbal” products, such as marijuana, away from your pet’s reach as well, as pot and other drugs can also be dangerous if eaten or inhaled by your pooch or kitty. The same advice holds true for tobacco products.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #10: Electrocution and Burns
If your inquisitive puppy or kitten (as well as adult pet) thinks electrical cords are play objects, redirect your pet’s attention to an appropriate toy ASAP! Gnawing on electrical cords and wires that are plugged into electrical outlets pose an electrocution risk. Electrocution and electrical shocks can cause burns and focal injuries, fluid buildup in the lungs that can make breathing difficult (i.e. non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema), and possible death. Always supervise your pup when he or she is exploring your home to prevent such injuries. Similarly, protect your pets against burns by limiting access to open fireplaces, space heaters, and by preventing your kitty from jumping up on a hot stove top. Chemical burns are dangerous, too, such as those caused by ingesting harmful cleaners and solvents (refer to #1) or from swallowing batteries. Keep such objects out of your pet’s reach.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #11: The Laundry Room
No, Fido and Fluffy, you can’t participate in the Tide PODS® challenge! Protect your pet from laundry room hazards such as ingesting toxic detergents and cleaners (as discussed in #1 above). And before starting your washing machine or clothes dryer, always ensure that a curious cat or dog hasn’t jumped in. (Yes, such preventable tragedies do occasionally occur.) And I’m sure that you carefully remove spare change from your pockets before throwing your trousers in the wash. But be careful where you throw those coins! American pennies minted after 1982 contain zinc, which can cause destruction of your pet’s red blood cells (i.e. hemolytic anemia) if swallowed. Furthermore, prevent your dog from stealing dirty underwear from the clothes hamper as well, as we vets have all seen surgical cases of dogs with a GI foreign body caused by eating a pair of worn knickers.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #12: Strings and Ribbons
Cats (and even some dogs) love to play with strings, ribbons, yarn, and even elastic hair ties, but these dangly objects don’t always love kitties back. If your cat swallows such an item, it may be unable to pass through the GI tract, causing a linear foreign body in which the intestines may become damaged as they bunch up on one another like an accordion around the string. Such cases require surgery. If you notice a free end dangling from your cat’s mouth or rear end, don’t pull! You can cause more harm than good! Immediately, take your cat to your local veterinarian instead. You’d better opt for feline-safe toys, such as feather dusters and catnip-filled mouse toys.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #13: Molding Clay and Slime
If your pet accidentally ingests enough Play-Doh® or homemade slime, he or she may suffer from salt poisoning. Many molding clays and slimes contain a high amount of sodium, which can be toxic if consumed in large amounts. High blood sodium levels (hypernatremia) can affect cardiac and brain function, being fatal in some cases. Watch your pet around other toys as well, be they child toys or dog toys, as chewing on or swallowing such items may serve as choking or GI foreign body risk.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #14: Slippery Surfaces
Stairs and slippery hardwood or linoleum floors pose not only a mobility difficulty for dogs with osteoarthritis, but they can also be dangerous tripping hazards. Prevent discomfort and possible injury to your arthritic pet with these amazing home environment adaptations from Canine Arthritis Management (CAM). (You can learn more about CAM’s amazing work with The Meowing Vet’s interview with CAM founder and fellow veterinarian, Hannah Capon.)
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #15: Leaving Small Dogs Unattended
Don’t leave puppies and small dogs unattended on high furniture! Accidental falls can result in a brain concussion or bone fractures. Moreover, keep your little dogs (and cats) in the safety of their crates or confined room if you’re concerned about their interaction with large dogs in your home in your absence. Prevent dog fights before they have the chance to happen.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #16: High Rise Syndrome
Prevent your kitty from falling or jumping out of a window (i.e. high rise syndrome)! A fall from higher than a second story window can lead to tremendous injury and even death! Use a screen or other safety mechanism to block an open window.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #17: Yard Toxins
Certain garden and indoor plants as well as wild mushrooms growing in your yard can be very toxic if ingested by your dog or cat. Death may occur in some cases. Don’t take any chances with the plants and mushrooms in this list. Read The Meowing Vet’s prior article on springtime plant safety for toxicity and safety details as well as identification tips.
- Lilies (including Easter Lilies)
- Flower Bulbs
- Sago Palm
- Dumb Cane, Snake Plant, Elephant’s Ear, Umbrella Plant, Skunk Cabbage, Swiss Cheese Plant, Peace Lily, Jack-in-the-Pulpit
- Rhododendron, Azalea, Mountain Laurel
- Foxglove, Lily-of-the-Valley, Oleander, Kalanchoe
- Amanita phalloides mushroom (death angel, death cap)
- Amanita muscaria (fly agaric), Clitocybe, Inocybe mushrooms
- Psilocybe, Helvella mushrooms (hallucinogenic mushrooms)
- Chlorophyllum mushroom (green or false parasol)
Certain winter holiday plants can be toxic to pets too! Learn more about these plants, like the ones listed below, in The Meowing Vet’s past article on holiday safety.
- Christmas trees
- English holly
- Mistletoe
- Poinsettia
- Christmas cactus
- Christmas kalanchoe
Additionally, other products used around your garden may also be poisonous to pets. Direct contact by your pets with cocoa-based mulch, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers should be avoided. Beware snake bites, spider bites, and bee stings too! Don’t even get me started on the dangers of fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitoes! Additionally, even seemingly innocuous items around your yard and home (rocks, for example) can cause tooth fractures and excessive wearing if your dog has a habit of chewing hard items.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #18: Antifreeze
Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze can be found in many automobile deicers, industrial solvents, rust removers, and other household and industrial agents. If spilled, its sweet flavor may attract your dog or cat to sample a taste. This can be deadly as toxic antifreeze impairs the GI tract and nervous system and causes acute kidney failure. Opt for deicers that are free of ethylene glycol, or else be sure to prevent or quickly clean up any spills around your car.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #19: Drowning Risks
Not all pets instinctively know how to swim. Therefore, swimming pools, ponds, and even deep baths can pose a drowning risk to some pets. Guard your pets closely around large or deep bodies of water around your home. Put up a safety fence and consider a doggie life jacket. Prevent small wildlife (like small mammals and amphibians) from drowning in pools of water around your home, too, with this small, affordable inflatable device.
HOUSEHOLD PET HAZARD #20: Toxic Fumes to Birds
This one’s for the birds. Okay, so #20 isn’t a dog or cat problem, but it’s an important consideration for pet bird owners. Birds are extremely sensitive to inhaled toxins, such as cleaning products, paints, solvents, air fresheners, and even non-stick cookware. Sudden death can occur in the presence of these fumes. Always keep your pet bird in a well-ventilated area free of harsh odors, and swap out your Teflon™ and other non-stick cookery for glassware.
– Maranda Elswick, DVM
The Meowing Vet hopes that by following our safety tips to keep your dogs and cats safe from the top 20 most common household pet hazards, you are all able to relax and enjoy the comforts of your home together! 🏡❤
