Health Garden Xylitol
Protect Your Dog from These Common Household Hazards
Are you aware of the wide range of common household items and products that can be hazardous to your dog’s health? Although it is not all-inclusive, this article is intended to help you recognize some of the common hazards found in the home.
Cleaning Products
Household cleaning products should be safely stored and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Product labels usually include warning statements such as “keep children and pets away from the area until it is completely dry”. Cleaning products containing chlorine bleach can cause chemical burns when skin contact is made. If swallowed the effects can be deadly. Stomach pain, vomiting, excessive drooling and vomiting are typical symptoms when these products are ingested.
To eliminate accidents with household cleaning products it is important to keep them in the original packaging if the packaging can be securely re-sealed. Containers that cannot be re-sealed should be discarded after transferring the contents to a properly labeled container that can be securely closed.
Insecticides and Herbicides
Keep flea and tick control products, intended for external use only, well out of your dog’s reach to avoid over exposure or ingestion. These products contain poisonous chemicals that can be very harmful to your pet if applied improperly.
Mouse and rat poisons must be kept well sealed and in a secure location out of your dog’s reach. These compounds, if swallowed, can cause serious organ injury and may be lethal.
Gardening chemicals (herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides, etc.) must also be used safely in order to ensure your dog’s health. When applied to lawns, keep all pets away from the treated area until it is considered safe according to the manufacturers directions. Lawn and garden chemicals that stick to your dog’s paws may cause severe skin reactions. If the dog later licks his paws the chemicals may be ingested.
Human Foods Dogs Should Avoid
The following foods can be hazardous for dogs. No matter how much he begs for a “treat”, these foods should never be given to your dog:
Chocolate, Yeast Dough, Chewing Gum, Persimmons, Grapes/Raisins, Alcohol, Onions, Coffee & Grounds, Tea, Potato Peelings, Nutmeg, Mushrooms, Garlic, Avocados, Nuts, Salt, Raw Eggs or Fish, Most Bones, Baking Soda/Powder, and Sugar Free Foods Containing Xylitol.
Keep household garbage in securely closed trash cans. For some reason dogs seem to find garbage in plastic trash bags absolutely irresistible and they can easily rip them open in search of “goodies”. However, rotting food can be harboring nasty bacteria and molds that could cause your dog to suffer from food poisoning.
Health & Beauty Products
Unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so, never give your dog medications that are used to treat humans. To avoid accidental poisoning, keep all medicine in tightly closed, secured containers well away from your pooch. Particularly hazardous over-the-counter medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, antihistamines, cold medicines, vitamins, diet pills, and topical creams/ointments.
Health and beauty products found in most bathrooms, such as toothpaste, nail care products, skin lotions, and even some scented soaps can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Also, since dogs seem to love to drink from toilet bowls, keep those lids closed. Harsh chemicals used in toilet bowl cleaners may be hazardous for your dog.
Toxic Plants
Some plants typically found in homes and in the yard can be hazardous to a dog’s health. A few of the common plants that may be dangerous include:
Schefflera, Lilies, Tulip and Narcissus Bulbs, Oleander, Azalea, Hydrangea, Hibiscus, Cyclamen, Yew, Amaryllis, Autumn Crocus, Pothos, Rhododendron, English Ivy, Sago Palm, and Chrysanthemum
The ASPCA provides a very useful data base of plants, both toxic and non-toxic, on their website. As it is searchable, it is easy to use and will help to identify plants in your home than can be dangerous. The data base can be found at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Miscellaneous Household Hazards
– Ethylene glycol antifreeze and coolants can be fatal, even is very small quantities. Although less toxic, propylene glycol antifreeze can still be dangerous.
– Paints and Solvents
– Small objects that fall on the floor can be easily swallowed by a curious dog. Such items as coins, small toys, jewelry, screws, nails, buttons, batteries, etc. may result in internal injuries and may require surgery to remove them.
– Mothballs can be toxic to dogs particularly those containing naphthalene. They can result in blood cell damage, swelling of brain tissue, seizures, coma, and even death.
– Strings, ribbons, and similar items can damage your dog’s intestines and could be fatal if not surgically removed.
– Tobacco Products
– Electrical cords should be covered and blocked to prevent access. Chewing on a live wire could prove deadly.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS POISONED
Do Not Delay! Speedy action is critical for the treatment of accidental poisoning. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-425-4435. Be ready to state your dog’s age, weight, breed, and any symptoms observed. Have the product container or a sample of the plant with you so that the poison can be properly identified and an appropriate treatment can be prescribed.
About the Author
Are you a canine fan? If so, we hope you will visit our DogBurg Blog at www.dogburg.com. You will find additional dog related articles, videos, photos, jokes, music, and anything else we can come up withthat dog lovers would find interesting. And if you would like to use article marketing to promote your business, check out this English writing software
.
|
|
Rainbow Light Gummy Fiber Garden, 30-Count $10.00 Rainbow Light Fiber Garden Gummies 30 Packet(s)… |
|
|
Natrazyle Xylitol – 5 Lb $19.99 Natrazyle”s Xylitol is a low-calorie, low-GI, all-natural sweetener that is palette-pleasing while hosting real health benefits for you. Marketing a sugar substitute is easy. Getting one to actually contribute to society is the milestone we have so happily conquered. What is Xylitol? Xylitol is a natural sweetener extractedfrom the fibrous of plants. Xylitol contains only 5 carbon atoms while the … |
|
|
Natrazyle Kosher Xylitol 3 Lb $11.89 Natrazyle”s Xylitol is a low-calorie, low-GI, all-natural sweetener that is palette-pleasing while hosting real health benefits for you. Marketing a sugar substitute is easy. Getting one to actually contribute to society is the milestone we have so happily conquered. What is Xylitol? Xylitol is a natural sweetener extractedfrom the fibrous of plants. Xylitol contains only 5 carbon atoms while the … |
|
|
Health Garden Kosher Xylitol Real Birch Vanilla Sweetener 12 oz … |