Household Hazards for Pets
Making your house safe for a pet is similar to making it safe for a child. Many common household items are toxic or poisonous or could somehow cause harm to your pet. This is especially true if you have a cat or dog that likes to chew on plants or eat things that are not their pet food.
- Get down on your pets level where you will be more likely to find dangers and temptations like wires, cords, toys, game pieces, and loose change.
- As with young children, keep all cleaning products and medications out of reach. Also, keep them in the original packages, in case it is necessary to call poison control. If you have a particularly agile cat or dog you might want to consider child-proof locks for cabinets.
- If a product label says to "keep pets and children away from area until dry," please follow this instructions to avoid potential health hazards.
- Cats and kittens love dark enclosed places. Make sure that your feline friend hasn't gotten inside before closing drawers, closets and the clothes dryer.
- Pet-Proofing Your Home - Tips from the American Humane Association
- Pet safe antifreeze - Sierra makes antifreeze that is safer for pets, kids, and wildlife. Normal antifreeze is highly toxic and has a sweet taste, making it particularily dangerous for cats, dogs, and kids.
Plants:
Many plants are toxic to pets. Lillies are very dangerous for cats, but they are not the only ones. For more information please see the following links.
Food:
Coffee grounds, coffee, caffeine 
Chocolate - especially dark chocolate and baker's chocolate
Yeast dough
Macademia nuts
Fatty foods
Avocado - dogs, birds, and rodents are particularily susceptible
Grapes/raisins
Raw/Unddercooked meat, eggs, bones
Onions, Garlic, Chives - an occasional small amount, such as found in treats or pet food is okay, but these items should not be given in large quantities
Milk - pets do not have enough lactase to properly digest milk
Tea
Salt - too much can lead to excessive thirst and urination, but can even lead to sodium ion poisoning
Xylitol - This is often found in sugar-free chewing gum, candy, and breath fresheners
Also, keep your pet out of garbage. The rotting food could make them sick, just like us.
For more information see the ASPCA's People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Holiday Hazards:
The holidays present a variety of hazards, from chocolates to ornaments. Be careful when giving your pet scraps from your plate. Too much fatty or spicy food can be harmful to your pet; see the above information about food.
- Fourth of July - Many dogs are afraid of fireworks. Dr. Khuly wrote a blog article with some ideas about how to make this holiday easier, including music therapy.
- Holiday Hazards for Pets - a g
 reat handout about holiday hazards by Best Friends Animal Society. This handout covers the Fourth of July, Halloween and Christmas.
- Halloween - The ASPCA has a great hand-out with safety tips for Halloween.
- Christmas - Mistletoe and holly are toxic for your pets and ornaments, especially ribbons and tinsel can pose dangers. Tinsel is a tempting toy for cats and can lead to a toppled tree or even surgery for a bowel obstruction. Also, iff you have many plans during the holiday season, make sure to keep your pet entertained so that s/he doesn't become bored and destructive. (See our page on Environmental Enrichment for Pets for ideas). Washington State University has written an informative page about Christmas hazards for pets, including potentially toxic doses of chocolate. Also, here is a slideshow of 12 brief and informative Tips for a Safe Holiday for Pets.
More Resources Regarding Household Hazards:
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