7 Household Items That Can Hurt Your Dog

Medication

You should never give your dog medication designed for humans, as they can have dangerous side effects. Tylenol, for example, can cause red blood cell damage and liver failure in dogs. ADD medications, birth control and Advil can also be toxic to dogs. You should never leave your medicine on the table or anywhere else your dog can get to it. Put it away in the medicine cabinet so that there is no chance of your dog getting a hold of it.

Fertilizer

If you have just fertilized your garden, it is important keep your dog far away from it. Fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorous and other chemicals that are toxic to dogs. Many dogs like the smell of fertilizer and might ingest it if they are near it.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze can be found in most households and is extremely dangerous to dogs. It contains ethylene glycol, which damages the kidneys, brain and liver. Dogs who have ingested antifreeze may experience vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, rapid heartbeat and even coma. If your car leaks antifreeze on the ground, be sure to clean it up as soon as possible.

Human Food

It is likely that your pooch has begged you for food as you sat at the dinner table. Dogs love human food, but not all of this food is good for them. In fact, there are certain foods that are toxic to dogs.

Chocolate, in particular, is bad for dogs because it contains theobromine. Dogs can't process this component very quickly, so it builds up to dangerous amounts in their bodies. While giving your dog only a little bit of chocolate will likely only result in an upset belly, a large amount of it can lead to seizures, tremors and other dangerous side effects.

Fat trimmings from meat can also harm dogs. If you feed your dog the fat off of your meat, it can cause pancreatitis. Common symptoms of this condition include vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea and other unpleasant symptoms.

Other harmful foods for dogs include grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocados and macadamia nuts.

Cleaning Products

Bleach, window cleaners and other household cleaning products are just as bad for your dog as they are for you. That is why it is crucial to keep these items out of reach for your pooch. After cleaning your floors, for example, keep your dog away from the room until the cleaning products are dry.

Insecticides

Insecticides might keep pesky insects away, but they may be harmful to your dog. If your pooch ingests these insecticides, he may experience a rapid heart rate, vomiting, seizures, muscle tremors and other serious side effects.

Plants

Putting plants inside your house can increase oxygen levels and liven up the room. However, certain plants can be toxic to dogs, such as Arum Lily, Bay Laurel and Begonia. Before you buy a plant for your home, make sure it is not toxic to your furry family member.

The idea of your precious pooch getting poisoned is definitely scary to think about. If your dog does ingest one of these items, take him to the animal hospital as soon as possible. For more information about toxicity in dogs, contact Appalachian Animal Hospital today.

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