Pet Loss - Common Household Items That May Cause a Pet Death

That's right...look around! What you have in your house could easily cause serious problems or even a pet loss as serious as death. So many pet hazards are easily accessible to your furry family and it is wise to be familiar with the most common ones. We all know how curious our cats and dogs can be and providing a safe environment is not without its challenges. Let's look at some of the real dangers:

Food - Following are those we know for sure that are problematic:

Chocolate (especially dark!) and other caffeinated products - Swallowing these may cause diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and irregular heart rhythms.

Corn cob - A friend recently had a scare with her Cocker Spaniel after he ate a corn cob. These scraps are extremely hard for a dog to digest and especially in small dogs can cause an intestinal obstruction. In addition, some dogs are allergic to corn.

Raw bread dough - Our cats and dogs could suffer from alcohol poisoning and bloat.

Garlic and onions - Anemia could develop after ingesting these along with the usual diarrhea and vomiting.

Grapes, raisins and currents - These fruits can result in renal damage to our pets and are severely toxic to their kidneys.

Macadamia nuts - Hyperthermia, weakness and collapse may occur if a pet has gobbled these.

Sugar free gum / candy - Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many diabetic foods as well as breath mints and gum. People and cats are immune but xylitol toxicity can result in severe liver damage or even death to our canine companions.

Antifreeze - Kidney failure can result from this sweet tasting chemical. Watch your cats too! They often walk through it and then like their paws clean.

Plants - Cats often chew on houseplants and many types can be toxic to our pets nervous systems, kidneys, and liver. Some poisonous varieties you may be familiar with include plants started from bulbs, lilies, mushrooms, English ivy, and ferns.

Tylenol, Advil and other human meds - Any and all.....check with your vet before giving ANYTHING to your pet. If they have been ingested; they can be fatal.

Rat and Mice Poison - Another sweet tasting poison.....they can cause fatal bleeding internally and externally to your pet.

Finally, if your pet is prone to eating almost anything, you must be extra cautious. Vets have reported removing everything from rocks to socks from an animal's obstructed bowel.

We love our animals and want to make sure they stay safe. Extra diligence in avoiding the above potential pitfalls should provide the safest environment for them. If you suspect your furry friend got into something they shouldn't have - call your vet immediately. Quick treatment could end up saving your a life and preventing an unfortunate pet loss.

Carol lives and works in beautiful Evergreen, Colorado. She has rescued seven dogs and three cats over the last twenty years and spends most of her time and money on pet related causes.