Risa's Golden Retrievers

Every home has items that when swallowed by your pet can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal. To help protect your dog or cat, the American Kennel Club (AKC^®) and The International Cat Association (TICA) highlight the most common household hazards for animals. Among them:

Food- Always keep garbage out of your pet?s reach. The rotting food contains mold and bacteria that could end up giving your four-legged friend food poisoning. In addition, many human foods can be extremely harmful to dogs and cats. Following are just some of the things that should never be on your pet?s menu:

• Chocolate
• Avocado
• Onion
• Grapes/raisins
• Alcohol
• Xylitol - found in sugar free gums and foods

Cleaning products- You can use many cleaning products in your home safely around your pets, but you have to make sure to read the labels and use them properly. Cleaners containing bleach can cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or severe burns if swallowed, so keep your pets away from any areas you?ve cleaned until they are dry.

Medications- Human medication can make dogs and cats very sick. Always keep medicine bottles tightly closed and stored in a secure cabinet away from your pets. Some examples of medications that are harmful to pets include:

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Prescription drugs
• Diet pills