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.
Danger in and About the Home
Acetaminophen – This common drug found in Tylenol and other commercial medications can cause liver damage in dogs and death in cats. Animals can knock over a carelessly placed bottle and gobble up several of the coated tablets.
Batteries – As you might expect from a non-food product containing acid, battery consumption can lead to esophagus and stomach ulcers.
Chocolate – It’s a favorite of humans and pets, but your cat or dog who ingests chocolate will be subject to seizures and death.
Fertilizers – If you’re treating your lawn, make sure it dries if you’re applying fertilizer before letting your pet out and make sure that the product won’t be rinsed into the lawn. Fertilizer has a smell that attracts pets, but the nitrogen, potassium, herbicides and other items in it will kill your pet.
Grapes – Surprisingly, and for reasons scientists don’t yet understand, the common grape or grape juice can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Insecticides – Follow directions on flea and tick medication carefully. Products meant for dogs are not interchangeable with those meant for cats, and by all means, do not use pesticides meant for the garden on your pet.
Toads – Most are harmless to pets. But there are certain species, like the Colorado River Toad and the Bufo Toad, that secrete a poisonous venom that can lead to serious complications for your pet.
Onions – Along with garlic, leeks and chives, onions are highly toxic for dogs and cats. Left unattended at a family barbecue or inadvertently shared when someone sneaks a bit of hamburger to a pet, the ingredients can cause major gastrointestinal upset and lead to anemia.
Tobacco – Although harmful to humans if smoked, a cat or dog who ingests it can experience tremors, vomiting and death.
Poisonous Household Plants – Such plants as lilies, mistletoe, azalea and philodendron can cause serious issues in pets who bite off just a bit of them.
String and Rubber Bands – Any bits of long string left around the house can remind a pet of playtime and they may swallow a bit of it, causing all sorts of gastrointestinal and breathing problems.
Toys and Small Legos – These can lead to choking or intestinal damage if a pet swallows them. Anything associated with playtime and fun can be an issue if the pet is unsupervised.
Dog Chews – Some of them may harbor Salmonella, which poses a danger to pets and humans who handle the chews. Bits can also break off and pose a choking hazard. Dog chews should only be given and used with proper supervision.
Chicken Bones – It’s recommended never to give animals soft chicken bones or rib bones. These can easily break off into small bits that can perforate an intestine, causing bleeding and blockages. Animal bones in general can splinter and cause mouth injuries, too.
Alcoholic Beverages – Leftover cups from the night before may prove an irresistible temptation to a thirsty pet. Alcohol can lead to kidney problems, respiratory failure and other issues.
Unbaked Bread Dough – The leftovers from baking can expand in a pet's stomach if ingested, causing stomach twisting in some animals prone to the condition. The yeast also can produce alcohol, which can cause other issues.
As with small children, it’s good to have a poison control or veterinary phone number handy on a refrigerator or in another family message center so that you don’t have to look for it when a pet reacts to ingesting something toxic.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has a 24-hour/7 days per week hotline at 888-426-4435 that can help. Be ready to give details, such as what poison was ingested, the amount and how much time has elapsed, along with the breed, age, sex and other details of the pet’s condition.
The good news is that by paying attention to things that a pet potentially can ingest, you can eliminate most of the dangers they face. Take a few minutes to survey your home and see what steps can be taken to pet-proof the area.