Arlington Pet Care Center Warns of Pet Hazards

If you have a toddler, you know all about locking up dangerous substances and making your living area childproof. But, do you do the same for your cat or dog? Many of the same things that could be dangerous to your child are also hazardous to pets. There are also unexpected pet hazards. It pays to educate yourself about household pet dangers to avoid an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

Common Household Pet Hazards

Many human foods pose a hazard to cats and dogs. Among these are chocolate, onions and garlic, raisins and grapes, alcoholic beverages and yeast doughs. It's especially important to watch these around the holiday season when food is often left unattended.

Household cleaners should also be secured well. Pets can be masters at undoing a cabinet latch or fastener. If your pet goes outdoors, be sure to keep substances like insecticide and antifreeze well away from them.

House plants can be a threat to animals. Common plants that are poisonous to animals include lilies, poinsettias, dumb cane, philodendron and mistletoe. String can be enticing, particularly to cats, but string as well as yarn, tinsel and even dental floss can pose a choking hazard.

Recommendations for Avoiding Pet Hazards

At All Creatures Veterinary Service in Arlington, Washington, our veterinarian recommends that pet owners take time to educate themselves about common pet household dangers. Taking a few minutes to make sure your home is safe for your cat or dog can extend your pet's life and avoid costly vet bills for you.

We also advise our clients to get their pets microchipped. This inexpensive, painless and easy procedure can make the difference in whether your pet returns home should he or she become lost. Most animal hospitals, including ours, can take care of this for you. Our animal vet hospital offers a wide range of wellness and emergency pet care services.

What measures do you take to keep your cat or dog away from pet hazards? Are they effective? Share your experiences with our readers by leaving a comment below.