Common Foods, Plants, and Household Items Your Pup Should Avoid
For many of us, our number one goal for our pups is to make sure they stay safe and healthy! In order to accomplish this, it is important to know what can harm your pup.
This way you can be prepared for common situations that may arise.
There are many foods, plants, and items that are in our homes that are toxic and potentially deadly for dogs. Today we are going to go over some of the most common of these. We will also discuss some tips and tricks that will help you be more prepared so you can keep your pup safe and healthy.
Let’s get started!
#1. Toxic Foods.
Sharing is caring right? Not necessarily when it comes to food. The simple truth is that dogs are not humans. They require a different diet from us and some of the foods that we eat are not good for them. In fact, there are many human foods that can actually be toxic to our pups. Some foods, such as dairy, tomatoes and citrus can cause stomach upset and diarrhea, but in large quantities lead to health complications.
Other foods such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, and avocados can be extremely toxic to dogs and can even be deadly! Macadamia nuts and walnuts should also be kept far away from your pup as they can cause extreme muscle weakness in dogs.
👉 Whenever you eat or cook with any of these foods make sure to keep them well out of your pup’s reach! And if you don’t know about a certain food, take a minute to look it up. It is always better to be safe than sorry!
#2. Toxic Plants.
There are many plants that can be toxic to your pup. If you are a plant lover who has a home or garden, it is especially important for you to know which plants can pose a risk to your dog. Fertilizers and plant sprays can be particularly dangerous.
Some of the most common toxic household plants are: Aloe, Amaryllis, Azalea, Begonia, Chrysanthemum, Easter Lilly, English Ivy, Geranium, Hyacinth, Poinsettia, Sago Palm, and the leaves of plants belonging to the nightshade family, such as tomato, potato and eggplant.
There are many other plants that can be harmful and toxic to dogs. Whenever you are bringing a new plant into your home make sure to look up whether or not it could be harmful to your pup.
👉 Pups should never be left unsupervised in your home and when you have plants that are easily accessible to them, this is even more important. And the same goes for your garden! Never let your pup out into your garden without supervision.
👉 Puppies want to eat EVERYTHING! So it is essential to keep an extra close eye on them when they are around plants.
#3. Toxic Items.
Basic household items may be the most dangerous because there are just so many things laying around our homes. Many of these items you may not even think about because why would your dog even be interested in eating them? But remember, puppies especially like to put whatever they can find in their mouths and dogs are curious by nature. So even chemicals like Antifreeze (which you might never would think your pup would want to eat) can be enticing to them due to the sweet smell and taste.
A few of the most common toxic items are: Batteries, pennies, vitamins and medications, beauty items, pain relievers (like Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen), and of course cleaning supplies and chemicals. Other objects, such as electrical cords, dryer sheets and basically anything your dog could chew into pieces and consume can easily become dangerous.
👉 Good rule of thumb is to keep all small objects out of your pup’s reach and if you know that your pup is a bit mischievous, NEVER leave them unsupervised in your home. Use a crate or pen to limit their access to household items.
#4. Dog Treats and Toys.
Dog treats and toys toxic for dogs?! We know! They are the last thing that you would think about being harmful for your pup. But the truth is, there are many treats and toys that your pup should not be eating or chewing on.
The biggest culprit is rawhide. Rawhide is sold in pet stores everywhere as being a dog safe treat but it can cause digestive irritation, be a choking hazard, and can cause blockages in your dog’s digestive tract. There are safer and healthier alternatives that you could give your dog instead and you and your pup will be happier for it.
Dog toys are generally safe for dogs up until the point that your pup starts to tear them apart. Parts of toys when consumed can pose a choking and blockage hazard, especially if the toy has a plastic squeaker inside. Rope toys and tennis balls can also be particularly dangerous when strings or pieces are consumed.
Pet treats must also be considered as ingredients are not always regulated. Some brands of dog treats can contain harmful ingredients and you should always research pet food and treat companies.
👉 NEVER let your pup have a treat or a toy unsupervised. This is the easiest way to help make sure that your pup is having fun but stays safe!
#5. Not Sure About Something? Look It Up!
If you aren’t sure about a certain kind of food, plant or item, take a minute to look it up! And if you can’t find what you are looking for online you can always ask your vet. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our pups. If you want a fun and easy guide on how you can puppy proof your home, stay tuned for our upcoming blog: How to Puppy Proof Your Home: Steps for Creating a Safe Space for Your Pup.
#6. Always Supervise Your Pup!
We say this all the time but it really is the easiest way to help make sure that your pup stays safe, healthy, and is able to just have fun!
Thank you for reading!
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