Keep Your Pet Safe from These Common Household Items
Many surprising common household items can be toxic to your dog or cat. The following lists will tell you the main items to keep out of reach, however we suggest you also visit the Pet Poison Helpline for a comprehensive list.
Medications
Any medication your family takes will be processed differently by your cat or dog, as their metabolisms are very different from humans. Keep any medications secured safely and far out of reach from your pet.
Some medications that are toxic to pets include:
-Supplements, herbal remedies, & vitamins
-Medicines such as Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, etc.
-Prescription medications
Plants
As a pet owner, you will want to research any plant you plan to bring into your home. For a comprehensive list of toxic & non-toxic plants for your home, please visit this ASPCA page.
Houseplants that are toxic to pets include:
-Aloe Vera
-Azalea
-Daffodil
-Lilies
-Mistletoe
-Poinsettia
-Sago Palms
-Tulips
Food
While it may be hard to resist the puppy dog eyes or pleading meows our pets give us while we eat our food, but it is best to refrain from dropping scraps. The effects of eating certain human foods can vary from stomach upset to seizures to even death.
Here are some common foods that are toxic/dangerous to pets:
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Caffeine
- Citrus
- Garlic
- Grapes & Raisins
- Milk & Dairy
- Mushrooms
- Nuts
- Onions & Chives
- Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs, & Bones
- Salt & Salty Snacks
- Yeast Dough
- Xylitol & Other Artificial Sweeteners
Cleaners & Common Household Items
The ingredients found in household cleaners and chemicals can be deadly to your pets. It is important to keep these items secured and out of your pet’s reach, preferably in an areas your pet cannot access.
Some common items found around the house that are toxic/dangerous:
- Antifreeze
- Bait Traps
- Batteries
- Compost
- Drain Cleaner
- Fertilizer
- Foil
- Foxtails
- Hair Ties
- Insecticides
- Lead Paint
- Marijuana
- Paint/Paint Thinner
- Pennies/Change
- Pool Chemicals
- Rodent Poisons
- Salt Water
- Zinc
Essential Oils
Essential oils, or plant concentrates, can be toxic to pets through both ingestion and skin exposure.
Some essential oils toxic to pets (concentrated or diffused):
- Oil of Wintergreen
- Oil of Sweet Birch
- Citrus Oil
- Pine Oils
- Ylang Ylang Oil
- Peppermint Oil
- Cinnamon Oil
- Pennyroyal oil
- Clove Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Lavender Oil
This is NOT a complete list, but rather a guide to common items that pose a danger to pets. For more information on pet poisoning, visit the Pet Poison Helpline.