Burnt Hills VeterinaryHospital
"The Best of Care for The Best of Friends"
 

Hazards in the home

Make your home a safer place for your pets by keeping them away from the following hazardous household items, plants, foods, objects and trouble areas.

Household Items

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
  2. Acetaminophen
  3. Cold and flu Medications
  4. Antidepressants
  5. Vitamins
  6. Home insect products
  7. Rat and Mouse bait
  8. Bleach
  9. Diet Pills
  10. Disinfectants
  11. Fabric Softener
  12. Lead
  13. Lighter Fluid
  14. Mothballs
  15. Anti-Cancer Drugs
  16. Solvents (paint thinners, etc.)
  17. Flea and tick products
  18. Drain cleaners
  19. Liquid Potpourri
  20. Slug and snail bait
  21. Oven cleaner sprays
  22. Lime/scale remover
  23. Fly bait
  24. Detergents
  25. Tobacco Products

Do you have any of these plants in or around your home?  If so, Make sure they're in places where your pets can't reach them, or consider getting rid of them altogether.

  1. Common Plants

Aloe
Amaryllis
Andromeda Japonica
Asian Lily
Asparagus Fern
Australian Nut
Autumn Crocus
Azalea
Belladonna
Bird of Paradise
Bittersweet (American and European)
Black Locust
Branching Ivy
Buckeye
Buddhist Pine
Caladium
Calla Lily
Castor Bean
Ceriman
Clematis
Cordatum
Corn Plant
Cycads
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Daylily
Devil's Ivy
Dieffenbachia
Dumbcane
Easter Lily
Elephant Ears
Emerald Fern
English Ivy
Eucalyptus
Ferns
Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
Gold Dust Dracaena
Florida Beauty
Foxglove
Glacier Ivy
Gladiolas
Golden Pothos
Heavenly Bamboo
Honeysuckle
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Jerusalem Cherry
Jimson Weed
Kalanchoe
Lantana
Lilies (all Lilium Species)
Lily of the Valley
Lupine
Marble Queen
Morning Glory
Mother-in-Law
Mountain Laurel
Narcissus
Needlepoint Ivy
Nephthysis
Nightshade
Oleander
Panda
Peace Lily
Philodendron
Poison Hemlock
Precatory Bean (rose pea)
Privet
Red Emerald
Rhododendron
Ribbon Plant
Sago Palm
Satin Pothos
Schefflera
Striped Dracaena
Sweetheart ivy
Tulip
Water Hemlock
Wisteria
Yew
Yucca

You should never let your dogs or cats eat any of these foods.  Be sure to store them where your pets can't find them.

Harmful Foods

  1. Avocados
  2. Chocolate (all forms)
  3. Coffee (all forms)
  4. Onions & Onion Powder
  5. Garlic
  6. Grapes
  7. Raisins
  8. Macadamia Nuts
  9. Alcoholic Beverages
  10. Mold/spoiled Foods
  11. Salt
  12. Fatty Foods
  13. Gum, Candies, or other foods sweetened with xylitol
  14. Tea leaves
  15. Raw yeast dough

These household objects can cause puncture wounds, choking, or internal organ damage to your pets. Make sure they aren't left lying around.

Objects

  1. Balls (specifically balls that are small or have a smooth outer coating)
  2. Batteries
  3. Bread twist ties
  4. Buttons
  5. Coins
  6. Cotton swabs
  7. Glass
  8. Hair Pins
  9. Jewelry
  10. Nylons
  11. Paper clips
  12. Plastic Wrap
  13. Socks
  14. Rubber-bands
  15. Sharp Objects (knives, razors, scissors, nails, needles, etc.)
  16. String, yarn or dental floss
  17. Towels
  18. Wax

Dogs and cats are more likely to be injured in these areas of your home.  Keep your pets away from these places or watch them closely when they're near them if you can.

Trouble Areas

  1. Balconies - Tall balconies without safety railings, or railing spaced to far apart, can lead to a dangerous fall.
  2. Bathtubs or sinks - Small pets can drown in full bathtubs or sinks.
  3. Doors and windows - Dogs and cats can run away if thy find an open door or window.  They can also get seriously injured if they run across a busy road.  Windows should have screens to prevent cats or other pets from falling out.
  4. Electrical Cords - Your pets can be electrocuted if they bite or chew on electrical cords that are plugged in.
  5. Fireplace - Your pets can be burned by the flames or get sick if they eat the ashes.
  6. Toilets - Toilet water is not healthy for pets to drink; always remember to close the lid.  Make sure you leave plenty of clean, fresh water for your pets if you must leave them home alone.
  7. Washer and Dryer - Your pets can crawl into a washer or dryer without your knowledge; close the doors to these appliances when you're not using them.

Outside the Home

Make sure your pets are safe as they enjoy the outdoors by keeping them away from these potential dangers.

Outside

  1. Algae* - Can be found in ponds or other bodies of water; certain forms can be toxic.
  2. Antifreeze/Coolant* - Some types of antifreeze or coolant products contain ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats, even in small amounts.
  3. Fire Pit/Grill - Flames can result in serious burns and ashes can cause illness if ingested.
  4. Fences or gates - Your pets can run away if they find openings in damaged fences or gates.  They can also get hurt or strangled if they get stuck.
  5. Deck lattice - Your dogs or cats can get stuck in the openings under your deck and possibly be strangled.
  6. de-icing salts - some formulations may contain chemicals that are hazardous to pets if ingested in large amounts.  Look for "pet-friendly" de-icing salts.
  7. Compost (Particularly if moldy)
  8. Gasoline*
  9. Oil*
  10. Pesticides*
  11. Cocoa bean shell mulch fertilizer*
  12. Swimming pools and hot tubs - Never leave your pet unattended near uncovered pools, even if they can swim.

*All contain chemicals that may cause serious illness depending on the circumstances of exposure.

Holiday Hazards

  1. Alcohol - Alcoholic beverages are toxic to pets and should NEVER be given to them during the holidays or any other time.

4th of July

Fireworks - Fireworks can scare your pets making them run off, or cause serious injuries if detonated near them.  Many formulations are also toxic if ingested.

 

If you feel your pet has come in contact one of these items please retain the package and call the Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital.