Oh No! Did You Just Eat That?

Do you have a curious dog? I’ll bet you do. Most dogs are very curious animals and natural scavengers, and if you’re not careful, they can get into and eat just about anything. It’s very prudent to be extremely careful because there are many toxic substances found in your home that could potentially kill your dog. I’ve put together a list of ten common household substances that you should keep out of your dog’s reach.

1) Chocolate: Chocolate contains a substance called the obromine which is toxic to dogs. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate is especially dangerous. Though it usually takes quite a large amount to kill a dog, poisoning and death can occur even when smaller amounts have been consumed. Chocolate poisoning will cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and increased activity. This can progress to seizures and heart rhythms.

2) Bleach: Keep all products containing bleach out of your dog’s reach. Symptoms of bleach poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Do NOT induce vomiting if you suspect your dog has ingested bleach. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

2) Antifreeze: You many not realize it, but common antifreeze kills many pets every year. Since it smells and tastes very sweet, antifreeze is very appealing to your dog. However, ethylene glycol is toxic. Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy leading to kidney failure. Keep your antifreeze out of your pet’s reach. If your dog does ingest antifreeze, get him to the vet immediately.

4) Tylenol: Dogs lack the proper liver enzymes to break down acetaminophen and so as little as two regular strength Tylenol tablets can kill a small dog. Signs of toxicity include drooling, lethargy, and abdominal pain.

5) Moth Balls: Moth balls are very dangerous to dogs as they contain an insecticide that causes central nervous system excitement and seizures. When metabolized, ingestion of moth balls can lead to liver failure. Symptoms of poisoning by moth balls include vomiting and seizures. If your dog has consumed moth balls, Do NOT induce vomiting. Get your dog to a vet immediately.

6) Watch Batteries: If your dog ingests a watch battery, it can cause a potentially fatal ulceration in the stomach within 12 hours. All other alkaline batteries are toxic to dogs as well. Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy.

7) Fabric Softeners and other detergents: All sorts of household detergents are toxic at one level or another, but fabric softeners fall into the highly toxic category. Signs of toxicity include vomiting, lethargy, burns to the mouth, drooling, muscle weakness, and even coma. Do NOT induce vomiting if your dog has ingested any detergent.

Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma. You should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning by mouthwash or other household item containing boric acid like contact lens solution or denture cleaner.

9) Peach Pits: With most fruits, the pits and the seeds are toxic. Signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and lethargy.

10) Household Plants: Many common and popular household plants are highly toxic to dogs, including poinsettias, lilies, ferns, devil’s ivy, aloe, and ivy. Symptoms of poisoning due to ingestion of toxic plants include vomiting and central nervous system excitement and may even be fatal.

It takes diligence and care to prevent your dog or any other pet from getting into substances that are toxic to them. For more details on how to handle this situation, many veterinary school websites offer lists of things that are toxic and what you should do if your dog ingests any of them. It is always critical to get your dog into a vet’s care as quickly as possible if you suspect they have ingested anything on this list.

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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.

Visit his websites at: The Complete Cat.com and The Complete Dog

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