Not all items that are safe for us are safe for dogs. You need to know what is toxic for your fur baby…
Did you know that many of our household items could be poisonous to our pets? Not just items, but even foodstuff? Your dog could either get an upset tummy or throw up and some of these poisons can even be fatal. Remember, dogs are naturally curious, especially when they are puppies. They have the habit of sniffing around and many dogs have a fascination for plastic bottles. So, your household cleaners in plastic bottles could tempt a puppy looking for something to chew on.
Here’s a checklist of some of the stuff that can be toxic for your doggie.
- Keep all cleaning liquids like floor cleaning solutions, bathroom cleaners, etc. away from your pet’s reach. They could give your dog an upset tummy, and if he gets to chew on your acid bottle, he could develop severe trouble.
- Fertilizers can cause death for your dog. Keep it far away, preferably locked up. When treating your lawn or garden with fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, always keep your pet away from the area until the area is completely dry.
- Similarly, if you plan to get the pest control people to come over, or if you are planning to spray your house with insecticides, keep your dog away during the process. Even the fumes could cause her to retch.
- Boric acid mixed with sugar is a common way to trap cockroaches in India. If you have a pet – find some other way to tackle your cockroach problem.
- Be very careful if you are using rat poison in your home. It is extremely toxic for dogs. Depending on the type of poison, it can cause severe vomiting, bloating, internal bleeding, brain swelling, and even kidney failure.
- Many human medications can cause problems for dogs. Store your medicines in a cabinet or at least ensure that they are out of reach of your dog. Any of these medications can be toxic for your dog – painkillers (including aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen), cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills
- Simple stuff like mothballs, cigarettes, and batteries should be kept away from dogs. The same goes for matchboxes – the matchsticks have sulfur in them.
- There are folks who think it’s smart to boost to their pals about how their doggies like alcohol. Well, it’s not smart! Don’t give your dog alcohol; it’s poisonous for him. It can cause vomiting, breathing problems and in severe cases, even death.
- Did you know that chocolates are poisonous for dogs? Even small amounts can cause pancreatic problems. So, the next time you want to give your fur baby a treat for being a good boy, think of something more nourishing and less poisonous than chocolates! The darker and more concentrated the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your dog. And no, chocolate cake is not safe either.
- Grapes and raisins are extremely toxic for dogs. They can cause kidney failure.
- Onions, garlic, and chives can cause stomach irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. The most toxic of these is onions – both raw and cooked. So be careful when you are feeding your dog leftovers or scraps from the table. That biryani, pizza or noodles could contain onions.
- Avocados may be healthy for us, but they are certainly not healthy for our furry pals. Avocados contain a substance called persin that is poisonous for dogs. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Macadamia nuts are not good for dogs. They can make them weak. They also cause overheating and vomiting.
- Xylitol is a sweetener that is found in many products, including sugar-free gum and toffees. If a dog consumes a product with xylitol, it causes a rapid drop in blood sugar. This could result in weakness and seizures. Some dogs have even suffered liver.
- Many plants are poisonous to dogs so do be careful about what plants you grow in your garden or inside your home. Azaleas and rhododendrons could cause vomiting and diarrhea; your dog could even go into a coma, or in the worst- case scenario, die. Tulips and daffodils are such pretty flowers but if your dog eats the bulbs of either of these plants they can suffer serious stomach problems. They could also get seizures and their heart rate could spike.
- Keep your garbage bin in a safe place where your doggie cannot rifle through it. He could pick up chicken bones or fish bones, which could get stuck in his throat or even choke him.
- Never self-medicate the dog with medicines meant for humans. Always check with your veterinarian.
- Anti-tick medications like Ridd need to be used with care. Follow the dosage prescribed – that’s a golden rule. And follow the instructions on the pack. The same goes for applications like Frontline and Spot-On.
If you feel your dog has been poisoned, call up your vet immediately or take your dog across to the vet. Don’t leave it untreated and don’t try self-treatment. It could be a matter of life and death. Remember, dogs are like little children. You need to keep an eye out and ensure that they don’t swallow stuff that is harmful. And all potentially harmful stuff should be kept away from them.