9 Household Dangers for dog’s safety

Electrical products are standard in every household, but they pose significant risks to dogs, especially small dogs, those who love to chew. Chewing on electrical cables can lead to severe consequences to your dog’s safety, including electrocution or causing a fire due to exposed wires and short circuits. Dogs may suffer from symptoms such as burns, seizures, or, in the worst cases, death if they chew through a live wire. In addition, the dog hair scattered everywhere may get stuck in the socket and cause fire after being powered on.

How to keep your dog safe from electrical product?

• Keep wires out of reach by using cord organizers or placing them in areas inaccessible to your dog, such as behind furniture or inside specially designed boxes.
• Providing alternative chewing toys can help satisfy your dog’s need to chew while keeping them safe from electrical hazards.
• Clean the socket regularly and make sure there are no furs stuck in the socket before use.

Many common household plants can be surprisingly hazardous to your dog’s safety, posing poisoning risks and severe health issues. Plants like azaleas, lilies, oleander, and tulip bulbs contain toxins that can cause symptoms ranging from stomach upset to severe poisoning and even death if ingested by dogs. For instance, azaleas can induce vomiting and diarrhea, lilies can cause kidney failure, and oleander is so toxic that even a tiny amount can be fatal.

Keep your dog safe from poisonous plants

• To ensure your dog’s safety, always verify the safety of any plant before introducing it to your home to prevent accidental poisoning and keep your dog healthy and happy.
• If you have plants in your home that are dangerous for dogs, place these dangerous plants on high shelves or in fenced-off gardens where your dog cannot reach them. You can check out the poisonous plants for dogs here.
• Alternatively, opt for pet-safe plants like spider plants or Boston ferns, which are non-toxic and safe for curious canines.

Fragile items such as bowls, vases, and fish tanks can pose significant risks to a dog’s safety, especially those energetic or curious dogs. These items can easily be knocked over, leading to breakage and the potential to cut your dog. If a dog accidentally ingests sharp shards, it can cause serious internal injuries.

Keep your dog safe from fragile items

• Store fragile items in secure locations, such as sturdy cabinets or on high shelves outside your dog’s reach.
• Supervise your dog when they are near these items to intervene, if necessary, quickly.
• Use non-shatterable alternatives such as metal or plastic to protect your dog’s safety.

Several common foods that are perfectly safe for humans can be highly toxic to dogs, leading to severe health issues or even death. Foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and alcohol can cause a range of symptoms in dogs, including vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, and severe poisoning. For example, chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs cannot metabolize, resulting in toxic build-up, while grapes and raisins can induce acute kidney failure. In addition, some high-salt foods, such as bacon, may cause acute severe renal failure and death if dogs accidentally eat them.

Keep your dog safe from poisonous foods

• To protect your dog from these dangers, always Keep food securely in cupboards or refrigerators your dog cannot open.
• Educate all family members about these foods’ risks to dogs and ensure that any spills or leftovers are promptly cleaned up.
• If your dog does ingest any of these poisonous foods, seek immediate veterinary care to mitigate the effects and ensure your dog’s safety.

Household cleaning agents, while essential for maintaining a clean home, can be hazardous for dogs if ingested, inhaled, or even come into contact with their skin. When we use products containing bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals to wipe the floor, the residual smell and substances can be inhaled by dogs, which may cause respiratory damage, poisoning, and skin irritation in dogs. Symptoms may include vomiting, difficulty breathing, and burns.

Keep your dog safe from cleaning agents

• Opt for non-toxic or pet-specific cleaning agents that pose less risk to their health, compromising your dog’s safety.
• Ensure proper ventilation when using these products and keep pets away from freshly cleaned areas until they are scorched.
• Store cleaning products in locked cabinets or high shelves outside your dog’s reach.

Insecticides are everyday household products used to control pests, but they can be highly toxic to dogs if ingested or come into contact with treated areas. Insecticides work by placing scented baits in containers to attract insects to eat them. However, these scented baits may attract dogs to eat them and threaten your dog’s safety. Ingestion of insecticide baits or exposure to residue can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, and even severe poisoning, which may increase the risk of long-term health issues like cancer.

Keep your dog safe from insecticides

• Place insecticides in deep, inaccessible locations, such as behind cabinets or under heavy furniture where your dog cannot reach
• Consider using natural pest control alternatives, which are better for your dog’s safety.
• If your dog accidentally ingests insecticide, seek immediate veterinary care to address potential poisoning.

Ropes and cords, often found around the home, can pose severe risks to dogs, especially those that like to play and chew. Ropes can get tangled around the body and neck and may cause muscle strains or bruises when struggling to break free, and even suffocate if they strangle the neck. Wires, packaging ropes, or any strip-shaped objects may also pose a risk to your dog’s safety.

Keep your dog safe from ropes and cords

• Ensure that ropes and cords are stored securely and kept out of your dog’s reach.
• Use cord clips to manage and shorten excess lengths to protect your dog’s safety.
• Providing safe, appropriate toys can help redirect your dog’s attention away from dangerous ropes and cords, ensuring a safer environment for your pet.

Dogs often explore and get to know their surroundings by biting. Once they find something satisfying to chew, they will continue looking for similar materials to bite or eat. If they eat something, such as sewing needles, small toys, and drugs, it can pose significant threats to your dog’s safety if swallowed or chewed. These items can cause choking, internal blockages, or severe injuries to your dog’s digestive tract.

Keep your dog safe from inedible object

• Add high-fiber ingredients like pumpkin to your dog’s food, which prolongs the feeling of fullness and reduces the urge to chew on non-food items.
• Regularly practice commands like “drop it” to teach your dog to release objects they shouldn’t have
• Monitor your dog, especially if they explore with their mouth, and keep sharp, small, inedible objects to ensure your dog’s safety.

Many dog owners allow their dogs to move freely at home. If a loud noise suddenly occurs, such as fireworks or thunder, dogs may become anxious and nervous and want to hide or run away; open windows, balconies, and high furniture can present significant fall hazards for dogs, potentially leading to severe injuries or escape attempts. Falls from heights can result in broken bones, internal injuries, or even death.

Keep your dog safe from falling from heights

• Install secure barriers or screens on windows and balconies to prevent accidental falls compromising your dog’s safety.
• Training your dog to avoid high-risk areas.
• Supervise your dog when they are near windows or balconies, and provide a comfortable, safe space for them during stressful times such as thunderstorms.

Conclusion

Creating a safe home environment for your dog involves being aware of hidden dangers and taking proactive steps to eliminate them. Dogs are essentially like children who can’t speak; it’s normal for them to cause some mischief. It’s your job to think creatively, make necessary changes, and adapt to ensure their safety and well-being. For more pet tips, consider subscribing to our newsletter and related articles to keeping your pets healthy.