Dogs in the Home: Dangers You May Not Be Aware Of

When you have a dog at home, you can’t just think about your own safety—you also need to consider your four-legged friend’s safety. He trusts you, and it’s your responsibility to make every space safe and suitable for your beloved dog. 

In this article, we’ve highlighted the main hazards that can be found in the home—hazards you should never underestimate if you want to keep your four-legged friend healthy. 

Let's take a look at them together! 

Household Hazards for Your Dog: Watch Out for the Living Room

The living room hides two main pitfalls: 

• Plants that are dangerous to dogs 
• electrical wires 

Let's start with the plants. 

Who doesn’t love decorating their living room with beautiful plants to bring a touch of nature into their home? We certainly do, but be careful of the ones that are dangerous to your dog! 

Ficus, calla lilies, lilies, and poinsettias are among the most dangerous plants for pets. If ingested, they can cause serious gastrointestinal problems. To avoid the risk of poisoning, keep these plants away from your dog, and if you want to bring a different plant home, always make sure it isn’t harmful to your four-legged friend’s health. 
Electrical cords andoutlets are also highly dangerous for your dog. Puppies, in particular, driven by curiosity, tend to chew on cords. Nothing could be more dangerous! Chewing on a cord can cause burns, electric shocks, and even death. 

Dogs in the Home: How to Make the Bathroom Safe

The bathroom may contain cleaning products and medications that are highly dangerous to pets. 

The chemicals found in household solvents, insecticides, cleaners, and detergents are toxic not only to humans but also to our pets. Even small amounts can cause damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys . 

To protect your dog’s health, be sure to store all these products in a safe, out-of-reach place. Also, be careful when using them: always make sure to rinse surfaces thoroughly to remove any chemical residue.

A Dog-Friendly Bedroom: Here's How

Yes, even the bedroom can hide some hidden dangers for your dog's health. 

Here are a few tips: 

• Shoe buttons and laces could be mistaken for toys. In reality, they are very dangerous for dogs, which could face serious health issues if they swallow them;
• Keep medications, cosmetics, and perfumes in a safe place;
• Keep electrical cords out of your dog’s reach (be careful with the charger, too—we often leave it on the nightstand).

Watch out for toxic foods in the kitchen

Did you know that there are foods considered toxic enough to seriously endanger your pet’s life? 

Bones, chocolate, sweets, candy, garlic, and onions are just a few of the foods your dog should never eat. Even in small amounts, these foods can cause symptoms such as tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, and, in extreme cases, cardiac arrest. 

To keep your home safe, be sure to keep all of these foods out of your dog’s reach. 

And if you're looking for a tasty treat for your four-legged friend, we recommend visiting our shop! 

It’s not just about dangers for your dog indoors—take care of your yard, too 

Even the garden can be dangerous for your dog. 

First of all, there are plants that may contain (in their roots or leaves) substances that are potentially poisonous and/or toxic to our pets. Some examples include lily of the valley, oleander, mistletoe, and all bulbous plants.

In addition, if there are pine trees in the area, they should be checked periodically for nests of processionary moths. Their outer cuticle contains a substance that acts as a highly potent caustic agent if it comes into contact with mucous membranes, causing serious harm to dogs and other pets. 

Finally, if you have a pond in your garden, it may attract toads, which—if your dog picks them up in its mouth or if they are disturbed—can cause problems of varying severity for your dog. The secretions produced by toads as a defense mechanism are another irritant (albeit less potent than those of the processionary caterpillar).

Looking for more tips on how to keep your dog healthy and happy? Follow us on social media! 

The post " Dogs in the Home: Dangers You May Not Be Aware Of " first appeared on Dog and Cat Food | Alleva .