The inside of your home is without a doubt the safest place for your pet to be. With that being said, there are a few toxins indoors to be aware of. Learn more below from your Savannah, GA veterinarian at Westside Animal Hospital.

Toxic Foods

Plenty of foods in your kitchen aren’t safe for pets, including onions, garlic, chives, avocado, grapes, raisins, chocolate, candy, gum, certain nuts, salt, caffeine, fatty foods, and many more. Alcohol is another big no-no, as it can poison pets even in small amounts. Never leave harmful foods like these out on countertops or tables where pets could swipe them down.

Toxic Plants and Flowers

The list of toxic plants and flowers is quite long. A few common offenders include lilies, tulips, daffodils, chrysanthemums, the sago palm, certain aloe plants, rubber trees, oleander, ivy, and poinsettias. It’s important to check your home and gardens for these toxic plants and remove them if necessary. If you must keep them in your home, make sure they’re placed where pets can’t reach. Check out the ASPCA’s website for a complete list of toxic plants and flowers.

Human Medicine

Did you know that aspirin, antidepressants, cough syrup, over-the-counter medicines, many prescription pills, and more can all prove very harmful to our animal companions? Even pills that can be prescribed to pets can be dangerous if they’re overdosed on. Remember: determined animals can chew right through child-proof plastic caps! Keep all medications—for both humans and animals—far out of your pet’s grasp.

Cleaning Supplies

Your supply closet is a haven of potential pet poisons. Everything from bleach, solvents, and floor cleaners to polishes and standard household disinfectants can harm your pet should they ingest such a material. Store harmful chemicals on the highest shelves of your closet, and keep the door shut and locked when you’re not using the products inside.

Pesticides

Do you use pesticides, insecticides, rodenticides, and the like in your home to ward off pests like insects, roaches, and rodents? Make sure to place these products with extreme caution—they are poisonous, not only to the pests they’re designed to get rid of, but to our companion animals as well! Ask your vet about non-toxic, pet-safe alternative options to deal with pests in your home. Would you like more information about the potential pet toxins in your home? Call Westside Animal Hospital, your Savannah, GA vet, today.