Beware! 13 Common Items That Can Harm Your Dog

Magnets on your frig? Loose change that spilled from your pockets?

These are just two of the items most of us have around our house that can be toxic to your pet. Here are the top 13 potentially poisonous things, according to Healthy Paws Pet Insurance:

1. Magnets: Your frig magnets can easily lodge inside your dog if swallowed and prevent blood flow in the intestines. Even more dangerous are “rare earth” or neodymium magnets.
2. Loose change: Spare change, such as pennies,contains zinc (screws do, too). Zinc poisoning can lead to liver, heart and kidney damage and of course, like magnets, the coins can cause an intestinal obstruction.
3. Ibuprofen: Never give your dog ibuprofen without first talking to your vet. If it’s given in too high a dose, ibuprofen can be deadly. People often pop a couple of Motrin or Advil without thinking twice. But dogs aren’t built like humans, and even a small dose could lead to toxicity.
4. Plants: We tend to think of cats when talking about plant poisoning. But dogs can be poisoned by such greenery as eucalyptus, boxwood, foxtail, ivy and magnolia.
5. Grapes and Raisins: No one is quite sure why, but a dog who eats grapes or raisins is at risk for sudden kidney failure.
6. Prescription Meds: The meds you take are obviously not safe for dogs. But keep in mind that your pet can chew through the bottle or plastic pill saver. So keep any meds out of reach and locked away from your dog.
7. Flower Bulbs: Hyacinth, daffodil and tulip bulbs can all be toxic to your dog. Make sure your dog doesn’t have easy access to digging up your garden.
8. Bread Dough: Yeast causes bread dough to rise, right? It can also rise in your dog’s stomach and cause bloating.
9. Flea and Tick Meds: This is much more of a danger to cats, who may accidentally lick the meds when grooming themselves. Make sure when you apply your topical flea and tick preventive that your dog can’t reach it with his tongue — and you might want to restrict his access to other animals until it’s dry.
10. Nuts: Most dogs love peanut butter, and there’s nothing wrong with peanuts (which technically, are legumes and not nuts!). But walnuts, pecans and hickory nuts are too large for your dog and could create intestinal blockage. Macadamia nuts are toxic and should be avoided at all costs.
11. Toads: Don’t let your dog lick a toad, and if you see a toad hopping through his water bowl, immediately rinse it out. Many kinds of toads are poisonous to dogs.
12. Glow Sticks: Cats are often attracted to glow sticks, but so are dogs. Glow stick ingredients can create gastrointestinal and skin irritation.
13. Sugar-free Gum: Xylitol, which can be toxic to your pet, is often found in sugar-free gums and candies. Even as little as two sticks of gum can harm your dog.

If you think your dog has been poisoned, contact your vet immediately. Here’s what to look for:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Confusion or disorientation
• Heavy drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness and lethargy
• Seizures

The ASPCA has a free mobile app that’s loaded with info and gives you quick access to their hotline. (Note:: There will likely be a charge for using the hotline.)

Has your pet ever been poisoned? Let us know in the comments section below.

DogsHome: Providing shelter, training and love