Pet owners love their furry friends for warmth and companionship. In addition to friendship and emotional support, pets may bring physical health benefits such as lowering your blood pressure and cortisol levels.Taking your dog out also encourages exercise and fresh air. But when it comes to senior pet owners, they must ensure their four-legged family members stay safe and sound. Senior Helpers at West Jacksonville, an in-home senior care company in Jacksonville, Orange Park, Middleburg, Duval County, and Green Cove Springs, wants to help. So, we composed some simple tips to help you identify and remove everyday poisonous household items that may pose a threat to your pet's health. Read on to learn more.
Identifying Poisonous Household Items
Poisonous Everyday Items
Many everyday household items may potentially cause illness or death to your pet. Some of the most common poisonous things you should be aware of include:
- Cleaning supplies with bleach and chemicals -If possible, use non-toxic cleaning products.
- Prescription Drugs- Don't leave a dose of your prescription medication on a counter.
- Food items- Take care of what table scraps you feed your dog. Chocolate, for example, may cause severe illness or death.
- Plants and gardening supplies - Store fertilizers safely and research plant toxicity. Avoid lilies if you own a cat. Ingesting lilies may cause illness or even death in cats.
- Over-the-counter medications- Keep vitamins and pain medications out of reach.
Signs of Poisoning in Pets
Your pet may have ingested a poisonous substance if they display the following symptoms:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- lethargy
- loss of appetite
- difficulty breathing
If you notice any of these signs, it's essential to bring your pet to the vet immediately.
Safeguarding Your Home from Poisonous Items
Pet-Proofing Your Home
To avoid pet poisoning, you should keep poisonous items out of your pet's reach. Keep all hazardous items in cabinets or high shelves, lock them away with child-proof latches, and dispose of expired medications. You should also take special precautions when using products like insecticides and rat poisons and store them in areas entirely inaccessible to your pet.
Storing and Disposing of Poisonous Items
When storing and disposing of poisonous items, follow the instructions on the label. If you don't see any instructions, consult a veterinarian to determine the safest way to store or discard the item. It's also essential to ensure you never pour toxic chemicals down the drain, as they may seep into the water supply and end up in your pet's food or water. Pouring poisonous chemicals down the drain poses a threat to the environment and affects pets, wildlife, and people.
We Can Help
Keeping your pet safe around the house helps ensure that they remain healthy and active. If you live in Jacksonville, Orange Park, Middleburg, Duval County, or Green Cove Springs and need help with pet-proofing your home or caring for your senior pet, contact Senior Helpers of West Jacksonville today. We would love to help.