Tips to Protect Your Pets from Hazardous Materials (to them)
You might be surprised at what is hazardous to your pets!
Pet lovers always have one thing in common we know and feel that our pets are a part of our families. As such we want to protect our pets and one of the best ways we can do that is to know what is hazardous to them.
We’ve got two dogs (Luna and Little Zeus aka LZ) and our cat Ollie pictured below. We try to be aware of what’s hazardous to them, especially food items that we might consume but would be deadly to either our dogs and/or our cat.
Our friends at Petcurean have been a great resource for checking out important tips for protecting our pets and avoiding hazardous materials. Since we’re a cat and dog family we’re going to share tips to protect both!
WHAT TO AVOID FOR DOGS:
- Chocolate – Most pet lovers know that chocolate is a big no-no for Fido. Chocolate is harmful because of a toxic agent called theobromine, which can make your pup extremely ill and even lead to death.
- Grapes – A lesser known fact, grapes can lead to kidney failure in dogs. If you want to give your pup a sweet and healthy treat, opt for blueberries instead.
- Mushrooms – If you have a dog that spends a lot of time outside, it’s crucial to check your yard for mushrooms. There are many species of mushroom that are toxic to pets, such as the Amanita phalloides or ‘Death Cap’ mushroom, a potent poison at only 3 grams. Since there’s a multitude of other species that can harm your pet, it’s best to keep your lawn clean of any mushrooms just to be safe.
- If you suspect your pet has ingested a poisonous mushroom, take them to the vet and bring the mushroom so the clinic can identify what type of toxin or poison they are dealing with.
LZ and Ollie pictured below have one of those love/hate relationships. Sometimes they play together, sometimes they fight and sometimes they just tolerate each other. LZ doesn’t look very impressed with Ollie below who apparently could care less.
WHAT TO AVOID FOR CATS:
- Tuna – Although tuna is the classic delicacy for a cartoon cat, you should only feed your cat tuna when it’s produced in a cat food format. Tuna made for humans can cause digestive problems in your cat if fed as an occasional treat. Feeding them tuna on a more consistent basis can cause a painful condition called steatitis, or inflammation of the body’s fat.
- Dairy products – Perhaps as iconic as cats and tuna, cats and milk are also a popular pairing. However, as cats age, they can become lactose intolerant causing them to vomit or have diarrhea after ingesting dairy.
- Lilies – The most common type of lily is toxic to cats only. If your cat eats a lily, it can lead to kidney failure which, if not treated quickly, may result in death.
HARMFUL PLANTS: Many common household plants can have negative effects on your beloved pet. Check your home and make sure you don’t have any of these around!
- Aloe – There are more than 500 species of aloe vera, all of which are poisonous to your pet. Its toxin, saponin, acts as a defense mechanism and will harm your pet if ingested.
- English Ivy – English Ivy is one of the most common forms of ivy to grow along the sides of walls and fences, making them easily accessible by outdoor pets and therefore, especially dangerous.
- Sago Palm – This plant is also a common landscape feature, but a little more difficult for your pet to eat. However, Sago Palm is highly poisonous to pets and can even be fatal.
- Shamrocks – While relatively harmless in small quantities, a large consumption of shamrocks can lead to kidney failure in your pet.
Some foods, such as grapes, chocolate, and onions, are dangerous to both cats and dogs. If your pet is exhibiting any of the below behavior, they may be reacting to something poisonous and should be taken to a vet for immediate attention. You can also call the Animal Poison Control Center 24/7 at 855-764-7661 for less urgent concerns or questions.
- Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness or Lethargy
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- Uncoordinated movements
- Excessive drooling (ptyalism)
- Seizures
- Coma
Please be aware of potential hazards to your cats and dogs and take steps to prevent your animals from being exposed to them. Don’t forget to check out Pets section for more great tips on caring for your dog or cat.
Mary M. says
I love these tips. We cannot have enough info to protect our “children”.
Anita Jude says
Great tips and things I did not know was harmful for them
gloria patterson says
Lots of good information here, some I knew a lot I didn’t
Rose Santuci-Sofranko says
Thanks for helping us to protect our kittehs….and dogs (which we don’t have). God bless!
Carissa Joslyn says
I never knew cats shouldn’t have Tuna or Milk. my 14 year old cat always drinks the Milk after my Cereal, and i give her my Tuna Juice when I make Tuna. Guess I’ll stop doing that!
Thanks for the tips and advice!
Pauline Milner says
Thanks for posting the warning about mushrooms and shamrocks. These are two items that are often overlooked. Safety tips are always an interesting post for me. Thanks!
Kay Stryhas says
Is the Baby Bulles cleansing gel safe for bathing my chihuahua? She has been scratching herself a lot. Thinking an allergy or ??? Thank you
Powered by Mom says
Hi Kay, I’m not familiar with that product. I only use natural pet shampoos on our chihuahua so I can’t suggest non-pet ones. I would suggest contacting your vet as it is always possible they have seasonal allergies too. all the best.
Jeffrey says
My niece would find this useful for her cat.
Sandy Klocinski says
Thanks for sharing. Onions are also not recommended for dogs. I cook my boy’s food rather than giving him commercial food. His meals generally include brown rice, veggies (peas, carrots, squash, green beans, sweet potatoes) and olive oil. I also sometimes include pumpkin or unsweetened coconut. And of course, some sort of animal protein (turkey, chicken, beef, salmon). I was recently looking for ground cover for the boggy areas of my yard where the water settles and the grass doesn’t want to grow and discovered that lily of the valley is toxic to animals so I will not be able to use it in the backyard but may still use it in the front where he never ventures without being on a leash
B.J. Bernal says
Thanks so much for this very informative post. I did not know some of these things hurt dogs.
Donna L Holder says
thank you for this great information
Audrey Stewart says
I always read your pet post first. I shelter elderly rescue cats.
Rose Santuci-Sofranko says
Wow, I didn’t know that excessive drooling could be cause by food allergies/poisoning! Thanks for the heads up!
Ronald Oliver says
These tips are very helpful. Everyone who owns a dog or cat needs to have this list. Thanks for sharing!
Teresa Kunberger says
I have 4 furbabies 2 cats and 2 dogs! thank you for the information
Carolsue says
This is good info for anyone that has pets! Many people don’t realize that some plants can be poisonous to pets!
Antoinette M says
I’m glad I came across this article. I did not know tuna was harmful to cats.
Shelley P says
For dogs cherry steams, leaves, and pits should be avoided as well. I have cherry trees in my backyard and I have to pay close attention when the cherries fall off the trees and be on top of clean up. Great article! I have a magnet with a list of foods to avoid feeding my dogs on my fridge which is a great reminder for me 🙂
Candice Sheets says
Thank you for writing this. My mother in law just lost her dog. He showed all signs of poison but she didn’t get him to a vet fast enough.
Donna L Holder says
thanks for all the great information
Dorothy Boucher says
I never knew that grapes for dogs was dangerous! and also tuna for cats, I don’t always feed the cats tuna but once a week I have been opening a can up and treating them to some, I’ll have to check with there vet for more on this.
@tisonlyme143
sheila ressel says
I occasionally give my cat’s human tuna but didn’t know it could be harmful to them. I will only give them cat food tuna from now on. Thanks so much for this tip!
Melissa Storms says
I was aware of most of these but not tuna. I will definitely think twice before giving my pets tuna as treat now.
Stephanie Ann says
thank you for sharing, my cats are everything to me! It’s great to know more ways to protect them!
JoKing says
I had no idea Tuna was not good for cats. I always allowed them to clean the can when I make tuna. Guess that ends today.
Kathleen Walsh says
Thanks you for all of these great tips . I learned so much about keeping my pet safe.
Donna L. says
Thanks for the good tips. So many people still mistakenly think milk is a good choice for cats.
Sara Tarver says
These are great tips!
Sandy Klocinski says
I have also heard that dogs should not have onions. Many dogs will also eat things that are inedible…my mom could not lay her dust rag down where the dog could get it because the dog would eat it…along with anything else she could get, edible or not. Another great blog post with awesome information
CASSANDRA HUBER says
Aside from foods, one thing not to use when you have cats is that easter grass, tinsel, or anything with thin, dangerous strings that make your cat deathly ill. 🙂
Karen Jaras says
My cat loved chewing on my plants but was never a snacker. I would not buy her treats but she loved to eat bugs and when I took her out by the water’s edge she would catch crayfish and eat them.
kate g says
Glad I’d read about the not giving cats ‘Tuna made for humans’. My friends with cats were unaware. Another one of the great services delivered by blogs….great and useful info.
Michele Pineda says
Glad that you posted these, my cats like to eat tuna but I try to get it in the cat food variety for them, along with canned food.
Alicia Hewitt says
This is a very important article. I keep a list of items and foods to keep away from my animals on my refrigerator. Thank you for sharing so others can learn these important tips.
Mya Jo Murphy says
I was actually aware of these but I love that you did a post on pet welfare..
Deborah D says
I knew some of this before hand but I never thought grapes were harmful. Tuna surprised me as well.
Vickie says
Pretty good tips.
Oral health is especially important.
Thanks
gloria patterson says
WOW … grapes total shocker I no longer have my cats as they passed I could not replace them. I do get my fix of dogs and cats at family and friends. I have to admit never heard of so many of these thing. Sharing this link because it is something my family and friends needs to read
Dawn W says
I appreciate the info, a lot I knew but always good to be reminded of what to do if they ingest something poisonous.
Daniel Scott says
In this heat make sure your dog doesn’t burn their paws on the hot asphalt.
Rosie says
Wow – this is really helpful! I don’t have a pet right now, but I sometimes am asked to pet sit, and I could accidentally do the wrong thing. Yikes, but so glad now I know!
lv says
wow. life saving tips. thanks so much
Catherine Wooster says
Great tips,even a few I didn’t know of,so thank you! I love all my fur-babies!
Deb Pelletier says
Thank you for the information, very helpful.
Terri S says
This was very informative. I did not know some of these…like grapes…yikes! Thank you for sharing.
ellen beck says
I think the mushrooms are the toughest here. Odin went blind about ayear ago now and will sniff around and sometimes eat one. I checked with the vet but the first time he ate them I about panced getting him in. Thank goodness they arent harmful but after it rains I do rake them away anyway.
Bryan Vice says
ALways got to take care of our fur babies theyre like family too
Mia Egan says
I knew some of these for cats and dogs but it is a good reminder to be vigilant about what is around and in the house. Definitely have to consider this when planting a garden or buying house plants.
Karen Giasson says
I didn’t know that I wasn’t supposed to give my cats tuna. Thanks for the information.
Calvin says
Haven’t heard of some of these, will try my best to prevent these hazards from my cat.
kate g says
Knew some, didn’t know others, so thanks so much for that…gotta keep those kiddos safe. One thing I would add to keep your pets safe list is to get a sticker for your door to alert firefighters so they know what kind and how many pets you have inside, it could save their lives. The stickers are usually free from different pet agencies.
Lisa F. says
Hmm, I hadn’t considered the mushrooms that grow in my backyard as being harmful. I’ve never seen any of my dogs eat them. I might pull them from now on. Thanks for the info!
Susan P. says
Thanks for the list! A lot of people don’t know these things can be poisonous.
P. S. Your Ollie looks like a twin to my Caboodle.
Michele Pineda says
thanks for the information, some of these I wasn’t aware of!
Sally Gearhart says
I didn’t know that lily were poisonous, good to know. I’ve never thought about mushrooms that grow in the yard either, especially all this rain we’ve been having. I have 4 cats and 1 dog and tons of houseplants but i have cat friendly garden box of catnip and such that’s just for them so that helps. Thanks for sharing all the tips!
KATE V says
Cute fur babies! Great list. Lilies are definitely bad for cats even the ones you see this time of year…Easter Lily. They are very toxic.