That’s more than 80 million households, and that statistic doesn't account for those who call birds, horses, rabbits, reptiles, or other creatures their pets.
But as anyone who owns a pet can tell you, they’re not an inexpensive member of the family. Most of us own more than one, and that means we have to visit the veterinarian several times a year for assorted injuries, medical problems or regular maintenance like teeth cleaning. That can add up, with the average veterinary expenditure per household per year for our animals at a mean cost of $378 for dogs and $191 for cats.
Even the best pet owners can experience an injury or unexpected medical problem. Pets are with us at many events in our daily living and special occasions, and that means there are ample opportunities for them to be seriously injured by foods they shouldn’t eat or other circumstances that they manage to create. A moment of inattention can result in a major emergency, throwing our world into chaos as our beloved family member needlessly suffers.
While accidents can happen, there are circumstances that invite trouble for the unwary pet owner. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center reports that of the approximately 180,000 cases involving pets ingesting poisonous substances, most of them involved pets gobbling up a human prescription or over-the-counter medication that was carelessly left out. That’s easily preventable with just a little extra attention to detail.
Many of healthful human rituals and substances can be toxic for your pets. Here are some of them to watch out for when you have a furry family member.