Common Household Items that Pets Should Avoid
It is no surprise that pets are more vulnerable than people to exposure to toxins in and around the home. Keep in mind that pets are a lot smaller and closer to the ground which puts them close to chemical and pesticide residues. We all know that dogs are curious. Along with that and their lack of awareness about toxic hazards, this makes them more likely to encounter substances harmful to their health. We created a list of some of the most common household cleaners that may be harming your pets.
Flea Control Chemicals – It is important to know that flea repellant products labeled as “natural” may still be toxic to your pet. The chemical d’limonene which is derived from the citrus peel can be highly toxic. Also, flea sprays and dips which contain “all natural Pyrethrin” can be dangerous as well.
Lawn Fertilizers – These are often combined with herbicides. There was a study in 1991 which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute which discovered a link between herbicide 2, 4-D and malignant lymphoma in dogs and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in people.
De-icing Salts – These are used to melt snow and ice. Dogs may lick their paws after walking on these salts and become very ill. Larger ingestions of the salts can lead to increase in blood’s electrolyte levels, weakness, lethargy, and even tremors.
Antifreeze – There are many antifreeze formulations on the market that contain ethylene glycol as the principal ingredient. To give you a better understanding: a little as half a teaspoon of spilled antifreeze can kill an average-sized cat, and eight ounces can kill a 75-pound dog.
Household Cleaners – According to the EPA, 50% of all illnesses can be traced to indoor pollution, which can be directly related to the use of household cleaners. Even when the toxic cleaners are put away and closed, the vapors left behind can continue to harm both us and our pets.
Mothballs – When used properly, these are effective at killing moths. However, they pose a huge health risk to pets. Inhalation of mothball vapors causes headaches, respiratory distress, eye irritation, and many other symptoms.
There are several items in your household which may be toxic to your four-legged friend. We chose to address some of the most common. The best thing that you can do as a pet owner is to be proactivein ensuring that these items are kept away and out of reach of your dog. You are potentially saving a life if you do this!
