No one wants to face the thought that a family pet could be poisoned by eating items in the house. However, dog poisonings are way more common than you think and you may have some items that you need to keep away from them. Knowing what damage they can do will encourage you to keep your dog far away from them.
1. Paint
If you’re an artist or a DIY enthusiast, you may have some paint lying around in your home. Paint contains harmful toxins and as dogs are driven by a sense of smell, they may be drawn to it and eat it. Even inhaling paint fumes can cause difficulty with breathing because the chemicals emit poisonous gases.
If your dog eats paint, it may experience difficulty walking and lethargy or depression. There are many adverse effects of eating paint, such as an upset stomach, loss of coordination, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea. What do you do if your dog ate paint? See ourfitpets.com for some useful advice.
2. Batteries
Batteries or small items containing batteries must be kept away from your dog. Battery acid is very corrosive and a leaking battery can burn the mouth, esophagus and stomach. If you find a battery-operated gadget on the floor and the battery has been chewed or you can’t find the battery, you will need to take your dog to the veterinarian.
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling or refusing to eat and a hunched back may be signs your dog punctured a battery or swallowed it. You may not see the full extent of the damage for 24 hours and it is much easier to treat your dog if the problem is caught early.
3. Rat poison
If you have rats in your house, you may want to use rat poison. It is extremely important that a dog does not ingest rat poison. Several of the chemicals commonly found in rat poison are deadly for dogs. One of the chemicals affects the central nervous system and another is an anticoagulant that keeps blood from clotting. If your dog nibbles on a rat killed by the poison, it could suffer from secondary poisoning.
As there are so many different types of rat poison, take a sample or the package to the veterinarian. It is important to identify the active ingredient and decide on the appropriate treatment.
4. Household cleaners
Cleaning products containing bleach are a leading cause of dog poisoning, resulting in respiratory tract and stomach problems. Symptoms may include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, a swollen belly, muscle weakness, drooling, hair loss, and even seizures. Don’t try to use neutralizing agents and take your dog to the veterinarian right away.
Make sure all household cleaners are well out of reach of curious paws. A detergent in a plastic packet isn’t safe as it is easy for the dog to chew through it. Keep the floor detergent-free as a dog may lick the floor.
5. Prescription medications
Prescription medications that are beneficial or even life-saving for people can have the opposite effect on dogs. The dosage does not even have to be a large one to have a detrimental effect.
Anti-inflammatory and pain medication can cause ulcers and kidney failure. Antidepressants can cause vomiting and, more seriously, serotonin syndrome, where the heart rate and blood pressure rise and seizures may occur. Blood pressure medication can also have a negative effect.
Keep all medications, even if they are in child-proof bottles, in a cabinet out of reach for your dog. If you drop a pill on the floor, look for it until you find it.