10 THINGS THAT ARE POISON FOR PETS

By: Door Buddy Editors | Published: 28 January, 2024

All “paw-rents” know that dogs will eat just about anything and cats will get their paws into everything (especially things they know they shouldn’t). The “paw-blem” with our curious pets is that they don’t know which household goods are actually poisonous for them.

From poisonous houseplants to cleaning detergents, poison for pets is everywhere! It’s our duty to figure out how we can best protect our furry pals. This means discovering what human food is poisonous for cats and dogs too!

10 COMMON HOUSEHOLD ITEMS THAT ARE POISON FOR PETS

1. Cleaning Products

A clean home is a happy home!.. Or is it? Common household cleaners like bleach, window cleaner, and bathroom cleaner can be poisonous when ingested by your cat or dog. The “paw-blem” is that these items are often left at the bottom of cupboards or in low-lying storage which our pets can easily get to.

So, what is a “paw-rent” supposed to do? We recommend finding a natural alternative that’s pet-friendly. Not only does this reduce the risk of common toxins for cats and dogs, but it is also better for the environment. Double win!

Blog image - common toxins Cats and Dogs

2. Pest Repellent

No one wants a home full of rodents or pesky insects. On the other hand, no one wants a sick pooch or kitty either.

“Un-fur-tunately”, we can’t always avoid a much-needed fumigation and this may leave many of us at a loss.

The first step is removing your pet from your home before fumigation begins. Second, read up on the side effects of the repellants used and how long they will last in your home. Only bring your pet home once it’s totally safe.

3. Batteries

Parents with children will already know about the dangers batteries pose. If one of these suckers are swallowed, it could leak battery acid and cause massive damage to your pet’s digestive system. On top of that, they can be a serious choking hazard.

4. Fertilizer

Although fertilizer may not be the most pleasing smell to us, it can be particularly appetizing to our pooches. If pets ingest fertilizer, the chemicals can cause liver and kidney damage.

Should you need to give your garden a sprucing, we recommend finding a pet-friendly fertilizer. If this isn’t “paw-sible”, try taking extra care and keep your pet far away from the garden for a while.

Common toxins for cats and dogs - blog image

5. Antifreeze

Your conventional antifreeze is full of ethylene glycol which is extremely toxic to pets. Even the smallest amount of antifreeze can have a fatal effect on your pet.

Make sure to always put antifreeze away safely and securely so that it is out of reach of your fur-babies.

6. Laundry Detergents

Who doesn’t love fresh smelling clothes? On the downside, they can cause ulcers and may be fatal for your cat and dog should they ingest them.

This is also another household cleaner that’s often stored in easily accessible areas. We recommend moving this to higher places or locking it away in cupboards.

7. Pharmaceuticals

Both human and pet medication can cause major damage to your pets. Even if it has been prescribed to your pet in the past, it may have the opposite effect now. The incorrect use of pharmaceuticals can lead to liver damage and other fatal side effects. Remember, never give your pet medication that wasn’t directly prescribed to them or has expired.

8. Toys

Toys can be major choking hazards for our “paw-some” pets. If you have small tots running around, make sure that their toys are always cleaned up and kept out of our pets’ paws. A small piece of Lego or a dangling piece of ribbon can cause a lot of damage when ingested.

9. De-Icers

De-icers can be poison for pets. Although this can be extremely helpful during the winter months, it can easily get on our pets’ paws and easily get ingested. Make sure to use with caution.

10. Kitty Litter

Now this one is more for the cat litter box burglars out there. Come on, you know the ones!

So, what’s the story on why dogs eating cat poop?

While the cat poop may not be the most hazardous thing out there, it’s the actual litter that is harmful to your doggo if ingested. It's also important for every cat owner to know about t oxoplasmosis, what it is and how it could be transmitted through your cat’s litter.

POISONOUS HOUSEPLANTS FOR DOGS AND CATS

Poisonous houseplants for dogs and cats is such an “im-paw-tant" topic, that it deserves its own section in our quick guide.

Being a plant parent is almost as much of an honor as being a pet parent! However, the two don’t always live harmoniously.

Here are the poisonous houseplants for cats and dogs you need to know:

Aloe Vera
Devil’s Ivy
Chinese Evergreen
Tomato Plant
Chives
Chrysanthemum
Dracaena
Asparagus Fern
Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
Peace Lily
Rubber Tree Plant
Hydrangea
Cyclamen

Our best tip to keep your pets away from plants is to spray citrus over them! The scent will keep your furry friends at bay.

WHAT FOOD IS POISONOUS FOR DOGS AND CATS?

In our list of common pet toxins, you didn’t think we’d leave off food, did you? Food is a tricky one and there is a long list of human food that is poisonous for dogs and cats.

Here is our condensed list of food that could be “paw-blematic” for your pets. Some of these items may even surprise you!

What food is poisonous for dogs and cats:

Chocolate
Coffee
Grapes
Macadamia nuts
Onions
Garlic
Alcohol
Avocados
Chicken bones
Raw meat

The dangers of these foods range from liver failure to choking hazards. Although some may carry fewer risks than others, avoiding these items is highly recommended.

POISON PET CONTROL: HOW TO KEEP PETS SAFE

Now that we’ve covered all of the red flags of what can be poison for pets, how do we keep our pets safe?

We’d like to introduce you to The Door Buddy.

The Door Buddy is an adjustable door strap that keeps pets out of no-go rooms. The Door Buddy was designed to give cats their space and freedom to enter rooms with their litter box as they please. This comes in handy if you have a doggo that tends to sample from the litter box.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t adjust our strap to keep kitties out too! Instead of fumbling with a baby gate or constantly trying to remember where you put your favorite cleaning product, The Door Buddy is an easy solution for keeping your pet safe.

Our latch system can be used one-handed and it installs in seconds without tools or complications.

Paws up for simple and effective pet proofing!

door latch and door stop for cats and dogs - article image

CONCLUSION: THINGS THAT ARE POISON FOR PETS

There you have it! Now you know exactly what food is poisonous for dogs and cats, which common household items to avoid, and how you can protect your pet.

Most importantly, we should highlight that should your pet ingest any of the above items that are poison for pets, you should get your pet to the vet immediately. You may even want to go straight to the pet ER depending on their symptoms.