SAN ANTONIO – Parents have heard of the safety benefits of childproofing their home, but pet owners might want to look into pet-proofing their homes as well.
More than 180,000 pet poisoning were reported in 2016 alone, but there are ways to keep them safe.
For those with a dog, it is well-known that giving them chocolate is a big no-no. But many household items can be just as toxic.
"Just like you would with small children in the house, use common sense with your pets too," Julia Calderone, with Consumer Reports, said.
Prescribed medicines for such as attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, heart conditions and antidepressants can cause rapid heartbeat, diarrhea and even seizures if ingested by your pet.
Over the counter pain relievers: acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can cause liver and kidney failure.
Pets often eat off the kitchen floor, so owners are cautioned with what they drop. Pills, onion or grapes are all toxic to pets. To reduce the risk, people can take medications over a sink, store them where pets can’t reach them and clean up the floors and counter tops.
Floor and household cleaners can be poisonous too. So it is best to wait until they evaporate before exposing pets.
"Miscellaneous things like batteries or even sugarless gum or candies that contain xylitol are toxic for pets, so keep them out of reach, too," Calderone said.
Keep pets away from insecticides and some plants. Even a lick of pollen from any types of lilies can cause kidney failure in your cat.
If pet parents suspect their furry friend has ingested something harmful, they should call their veterinarian.
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