Household Dangers For Your Dog - Common Household Products Can Kill Your Dog

When we purchase a new dog, we tend to fence the yard and buy a kennel or dog bed. Although many of us remove expensive shoes from the new dog's reach, we can tend to forget that we need to make the house and yard dog safe. There are some surprising household dangers for your dog that could easily reduce Fido to a very sick puppy.

The home, the yard, the shed, and the garage, are all sources of doggy toxins and poisons.

The Home:

* Firstly, get down to floor level, as you would with a toddler, and take a good look around your home.

* Is your medicine cabinet out of your dog's reach? Many human medicines, including vitamins and cold medicines are toxic to dogs.

* Cleaning products and bleaches are all as poisonous to your dog as your child.

* Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Surprising isn't it? Dogs only need a small amount (50 grams) to make them quite ill.

* Raisins and grapes are also human foods that your dog should not be consuming.

* Some ornamental indoor plants can be poisonous to dogs.

* Small toys with small buttons and parts can become choking hazards.

* Rubber bands, dental floss, and plastic shopping bags can all choke your dog.

* Cockroach and rodent baits can smell pretty good to your dog, with fatal results.

* Any ball the size of a golf ball or smaller should not be given to your dog. They can easily choke on them.

The Yard:

* Weed killers, slug and snail killers, and fertilizers, are all killers for dogs. If you are spraying your garden or lawn, keep your dog well away and follow the safety precautions.

The Shed:

* Hopefully all of your toxic chemicals are stored on high shelves, or locked up. Don't forget that dogs have sharp teeth and can put holes in plastic bottles.

* Some potential poisons you may not have thought of are: the anti-freeze for your car has a sweet flavor to dogs but is poisonous. Rodent poisons in all formats. De-icing salts for your driveway and paths are irritating on dogs paws. These salts become poisonous when they are licked off.

Common Routes for Dog Poisoning:

* Eating poisoned vermin and the like.

* Licking harmful substances from their paws and fur.

* Drinking and eating accidentally contaminated foods and water.

If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, contact your vet or the poisons information center immediately.

Common household products can be dangerous to dogs. Dog proof your house and keep your best friend safe.