Blog 5 Common household items that are toxic to your dog.
5 Common household items that are toxic to your dog.
Dogs are well known for getting into things that they shouldn’t around the house. Be it your trash can, your toilet bowl, or your sock drawer, if they’re drawn to it, they’re probably digging through it. But not everything that smells or tastes good to our pets is something they should eat (though they may disagree). In fact, there are plenty of everyday household items that would be a danger to your dog if consumed.
Raw dog food often gets unfairly vilified as a source of illness or disease for our pets. When dogs become sick, pet parents often immediately jump to the conclusion that it must be something they ate. And while this could be the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it was their food that is making them ill. The reality is that when safely produced, handled, and fed, raw dog food is a perfectly safe and healthy option to feed our pets.
In this article, we’re breaking down five common household items that are dangerous to and may even be poisonous to your dog, as well as sharing tips for creating a more dog-proofed home, for their benefit and yours. Whether you’re new to raw feeding or a seasoned pro, the next time your dog falls ill, consider this list of items that may be the culprit before turning to their food.
1. Rodent poison and other pesticides.
Of course it’s common sense that you would not intentionally feed rat poison to your dog, but you would be surprised what your pets can get into that they shouldn’t. In general, if you find that you have an uninvited mouse in your house, and you also have a dog or cat, you should avoid putting any sort of mouse or rat poisoning out as these chemicals are often also poisonous to our pets. Not only can our pets ingest the poison directly by licking it off their paws or off the source, they can also be poisoned indirectly by chewing on or eating a rodent that was killed by the poison.
If you do absolutely need to use these items for any reason, they should always be kept sealed and safely stored out of reach of any pets.
If you think your pet has come in contact with or consumed rat poison, insecticides, or pesticides of any kind, you should contact your local poison control immediately.
2. Ice and snow melting products.
If you live anywhere that gets snow in the winter, you know how useful de-icing products can be to help keep your sidewalks, driveways, and outdoor steps safe. But while snow melt products may help keep you from falling on a slippery walkway, they could also be toxic to your pet. In fact, most commercial de-icing products are not pet-friendly and contain chemicals that can harm your pet’s paws or make them sick if consumed. Opting to use an eco- and pet-friendly ice and snow melt option is just as effective and helps to keep your dog safe.
3. Fragrances and fake or low-quality essential oils.
While incredibly popular, many fragrances, fake essential oils and liquid potpourri products are toxic to dogs. Avoid or take extra care with scented candles, air fresheners, plug-ins, or wax melts. Essential oils in particular can be a tricky subject. Because they are derived from plants, people often assume that these “natural” products are safe to use in the home around pets, but this is not always the case. Not all plant oils are safe for pets and, to make things more complex, many safe types of oils are faked or low-quality even when labeled as “pure”.
However, there are many essential oils that are safe to use as long as they are used correctly. Many essential oils have gotten an undeserved bad reputation due to popular fakes/dupes or low-quality brands. We recommend consulting with a holistic veterinarian that is well versed in herbs and essential oils for advice on what is truly safe to use, how to use it, and what brands to buy.
4. Certain plants and flowers.
Lots of people turn to potted plants or flowers when looking for ways to spruce up their home. And while there are many benefits to bringing plants indoors, whether you’re decorating for the holidays or just enjoying a bouquet of fresh flowers, it’s important to know that there are some species of plants and flowers that can be toxic to our pets. Here’s a list of houseplants and flowers that could be harmful to your pets:
- Poinsettia
- Lilies (all kinds)
- Tulips
- Pothos
- Philodendron
Swap out the poisonous plants with non-toxic alternatives.
Having a dog does not mean you also need to have a plant-free home. By choosing your plants carefully and decorating with your furry friends in mind, your pets and your plants can all thrive together. Here are a few options for pet-friendly plants that you can fill your home with:
- Money tree
- Peperomia
- Echeveria succulents
- Ponytail palm
- Orchid
Even though some plants are safer than others to have around your pets, the reality is that your dog should not be consuming any of them. It’s always good practice to keep any houseplants out of reach of your pets, just to be safe.
5. Toilet bowl cleaners.
Have a dog with a bad habit of drinking from the toilet? While the first step is to always keep the lid down, you might also want to consider the type of cleaner you use for your toilets. The cleaning tablets or pouches that you drop into or clip onto the bowl to steadily release a stream of cleaning product are constantly filling your toilet bowl with chemicals that could be harmful to your dog if consumed. If you struggle to keep your dog away from the toilet bowl water, the safest option for keeping your facilities clean and your pet safe would be to opt out of the automatic toilet cleaners and stick to a manual scrub.
The first step in creating a safer home environment for our pets is becoming aware of what items could cause them harm. If you ever believe that your dog has consumed something that they shouldn’t have, you should contact your vet immediately.