How to identify and protect your dog from household threats

Your home should be a haven for your family — including your pooch. Your canine companion may encounter more household threats than you realize.

Many owners don’t realize the dangers of toxic food, chemicals, and objects that can cause choking for pets.

To keep your dog safe, use locked cabinets in the laundry room and kitchen to prevent them from accessing potential hazards.

This will give you peace of mind and minimize the risk of illnesses that will harm your pooch and lead to hefty vet bills.

Taking a proactive approach to home maintenance can help you keep a cleaner home, too. Living in a cluttered space can be transformative if you’re used to it.

To keep your home clean and safe for your dog, keep your supplements in a safe place and hide electrical wires.

Water

Most owners fill and refresh their dog bowls daily.

However, if you have standing pools of water around your home (ponds or puddles that form in the yard, for example), you may want to reconsider letting them splash and play in the muddy depths.

Living near agriculture can expose your dog to waterborne diseases, so monitoring its health is essential.

Some also fear that a waterborne parasite affecting dogs is becoming more common in Colorado and California.

This could pose a real challenge if you live near a river or a stream runs through your backyard. Your pooch can also pick up more common illnesses like Giardia if exposed to feter in the water.

Use softened water in their bowls to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Also, provide a paddling pool for them to play in. This will help them stay cool and hydrated during hot weather and provide a fun and stimulating activity.

Softened water has higher sodium levels, but people consider it safe for pets.

Choosing this option may be better for your dog’s health. It contains fewer minerals that could trigger allergies in dogs with sensitive skin.

It’s best to consult your vet about giving your dog softened water if you’re worried about sodium levels.

Supplements

Your supplements may keep you fit, but they are almost always harmful for your pet.

This is a real issue, as many vitamins and supplements look, smell, and taste like treats.

Your pooch is almost certain to hoover up any leftover supplements you fail to dispose of correctly.

You can keep your dog safe and dispose of supplements correctly by:

• Sending any potentially toxic supplements to medication drop-off centers
• Do not flush supplements, as they can contaminate the water supply
• Attend community take-back events for medical supplements

If you can’t safely throw away your supplements, mix them with something gross and put them in a sealed container.

For example, mix your supplements with coffee grounds and place them safely in a ziplock bag in your trash bin.

This reduces the risk of other animals eating your supplements once you dispose of them.

Choking hazards

Most pooches stop chewing on things they shouldn’t once they’ve gone through the teething phase.

However, almost every dog loves to chew on bones, branches, and old hooves.

While these items have long been considered good toys for dogs, they present a real hazard to their health.

Replace dangerous chewing items like ice, sticks, tennis balls, and antlers with safer options.

These new chewing treats should:

• Be big enough to prevent your dog from swallowing them
• Not splinter
• Be flexible and not so hard that they cause teeth to chip

You can even provide toys that reduce tartar build-up and promote healthier gums.

This can improve your dog’s dental hygiene and reduce the risk that your dog accidentally swallows something it shouldn’t.

Essential oils

Lathering up in essential oils can help you smell great and provide much-needed stress relief.

Be careful when using lavender, eucalyptus, and lemongrass oils, as they may attract your dog.

Unfortunately, this can cause liquid poisoning in dogs. Just a few oil licks can have disastrous effects beyond an upset stomach.

Signs of liquid poisoning include difficulty breathing, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, muscle tremors, and more.

If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, you should immediately take it to the vet and avoid inducing vomiting. If you can find the product that caused the poisoning, take it with you to the vet.

Rather than risking a spill, keep your essential oils far out of reach.

Keep items above your head to prevent dogs from jumping onto furniture to investigate smells. Curious dogs may jump onto dressers or tables.

You can further protect against poisoning by placing your oils within ziplock bags to ensure your dog cannot access them.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that comes from furnaces, car exhaust, and other sources. It is a big danger in homes.

Dogs are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms in dogs may include weakness, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and more.

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Treatment may include oxygen therapy and monitoring for seizures.

Regularly inspect equipment for gas leaks to prevent exposure and install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

Final thoughts on household threats

While your home is your sanctuary, it also poses home safety hazards to dogs.

Rather than ignoring these seemingly benign issues, take steps to protect your pooch by disposing of hazards like broken sticks and supplements.

You can also provide fresh, softened water for them to play in if you live near a river with known outbreaks and should aim to replace chewing hazards like hooves with safer alternatives.

Miles Oliver is a proud dog lover and an outdoor enthusiast. He often writes on his patio with a hot cup of tea and his 4-year-old border collie mix by his feet. When Miles is not working as an independent freelance writer, he is most likely mountain biking and roaming the great outdoors with his four-legged companion. 

Unlock the secrets to your furry friend’s health with our roadmap to optimal dog health guide! 🐾