Potential Dangers…(especially for the chewers)

[kizkiznobite]

Potential Hazards:
All of the following items should be kept out of the reach of dogs to avoid the risk of choking, poisoning or injury.
* Washcloths and dishrags. Dogs have swallowed them with disastrous consequences.
* Dryer and fabric softener sheets. They are choking and potential poisoning hazards.
* Dental floss. There have been reports of ingested floss getting tangled in and slicing dogs’ intestines.
* Sponges. Since sponges can harbour germs and chemicals, replace frequently and  keep far out of reach. Many dogs find sponges fun to chew.
* Plastic bags
* Medications
* Mothballs
* Toilet cleaning liquids, powders and tablets
* Dishwashing and other detergents
* Cleaners, particularly those containing lye. Products containing lye should not be used on surfaces touched by animals.
* Self-cleaning oven emissions
* Pieces of foil and wrappers
* Waste baskets and rubbish bins* Electrical cords
* Batteries
* Coins
* Jewellery and hair clips
* Bones and stones
* Toiletries
* Tights
* Shoelaces
* Pens and pencils
* Scissors, cutters, rubber bands
* Small balls and toys
* Knickknacks* Decorations and ornaments
* Potpourri and potpourri oils
* Needles, pins and thread
* Craft and art supplies such as beads, glue, hot glue guns
* Modelling clay
* Gift wrap, foil, tinsel, bows and ribbons* Some common houseplants
* Water under holiday trees and plants
* Fires in fireplaces and wood stoves* Portable heaters. A pet might curl up dangerously close to heating elements.
* Steps indoors and outdoors with open risers
* Railings in lofts and on elevated platforms, decks and balconies with openings large enough for a dog to squeeze through
* Window wells near sub-ground level basements and sunken cellar entrances
* Furnaces, indoor/outdoor heating and air conditioning units and power supply lines * Antifreeze (appealing to pets; deadly)
* Snow melting products
* Swimming pool products
* Power and manual tools * Pesticides and insecticides
* Fertilizer
* Bait and traps for rats, mice, snails, slugs, ants, roaches and other animals.
* Cocoa shell mulch (appealing to pets; contains Theobromine)
* Compost piles
* Standing water
* Mushrooms and toadstools
* Azaleas, oleander, castor beans, sago palms and yew are among plants that can be fatal if ingested. Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, lilies and pine needles are also dangerous.
* Animals with toxic bites, including spiders, ticks, snakes, toads, wasp and bees.

To Safeguard Your Dogs from Household Dangers:
* It’s important to read all product labels, including those for new and improved formulas of products that are familiar.
* Dogs and humans can have reactions to most any commercial product, and that a dog could pick up residue off a floor, and then ingest it when licking paws.
* Dog should be kept out of areas where cleaners, pesticides, rodent traps and other potentially toxic items are used or stored.
* Close the doors of dishwashers, clothes washers, dryers and other appliances and cabinets.
* When using a self-cleaning oven for the first couple of times, protect dogs from fumes by keeping them far away from the kitchen.
* Ensure dogs can’t get into waste baskets and rubbish bins.
* Drinking water from toilets can upset the gastrointestinal tract. Tablets and other cleaning agents are present in the water can lead to vomiting, nausea and worse.
* Another reason to keep bathroom doors closed: puppies and dogs have gotten hurt slipping down tub edges, and have suffered seriously burns from accidentally turning on faucets. Drowning is also possible.
* Do not allow dogs in to garages or sheds in which toxins and other dangers may be present.
* Keep dogs away from lawns recently been treated with fertilizer and from any areas recently treated with pesticides.
* Store car products such as petrol, oil and antifreeze in areas that are inaccessible to dogs. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a puppy; less than one tablespoon can be lethal to a 20-pound dog.
* Before using any product on a dog or in the home, always read the label and follow the directions.
* If a product is designed only for dogs, it should not be used on cats, and vice versa. If you’re unsure of how to use a product properly, contact the manufacturer and your veterinarian for instructions.
* Cords and plugs can look like chew toys to dogs. Tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries. Unplug lights when you are not home.
* Power strips and outlets should be covered so dogs cannot stick claws or tongues in them.
* Use fireplace screens to avoid burns.
* If you put your dog in a wire crate, minimize the chances of his dog tags and collar getting caught in the wire bars. Dogs have choked this way.
* For front and back doors, check latches and doorknobs from time to time and keep in good repair.
* If your dog is excitable or has a high prey drive, he can break through a plate glass window or tear through a screen door to chase wild animals, birds, another dog, the mail carrier, etc. So it’s best to close the solid entrance doors and sliding glass doors. Windows that are not out of reach should be closed when the dog is alone.
* To keep pets from falling from heights after squeezing through indoor or outdoor railing, line the railings with mesh.
* Block access to indoor/outdoor heating and air conditioning components and power supply lines to prevent injury and electrocution. Dogs have been electrocuted when scratching, chewing or even touching such power lines.

Lead and Lead Poisoning:
Like young children, pets are highly vulnerable to the toxic chips and dust from lead paint found in many older homes. Other possible sources of lead in the house include drapery weights and batteries.
Dogs at Home:
* If using a dog flap ensure it is secured when leaving the house. Wild animals have been known to enter homes through pet doors. If you do have a doggie door, please block access whenever you are not home to supervise.
* Invisible and electric fences also are risky, since power interruptions render them useless. Other drawbacks: unwanted animals and people can enter the “fenced” area…and highly motivated dogs won’t be deterred from chasing a cat, mail carrier, etc.
* If you have a pool, block the dog’s access. Completely cover the pool with a sturdy cover when not in use. Train your dog how to get out of the pool in case an accident happens.
* Keep ornaments, decorations and candles far out of reach of dogs. Ingestion of any ornament, which might look like a toy to pets, can result in life-threatening emergencies. Even ornaments made from dried food can lead to ailments. And shards from broken glass ornaments can injure paws.
* Avoid toxic decorations. Bubbling lights contain fluid that can be inhaled or ingested, snow sprays and snow flock can cause reactions when inhaled, Styrofoam poses a choking hazard, tinsel can cause choking and intestinal obstruction, and water in snow scenes may contain toxic organisms such as Salmonella. Choose safer decorations for homes with pets and children.
* Dispose of candy wrappers, aluminium foil pieces, wrapping and ribbons before pets can choke on them.
* Dogs have gotten injured from power and manual tools. So don’t allow pets in areas in which work is being done, and put all tools away when not in use. The same goes for garden tools (trip hazards, prongs can puncture skin or eyes, can topple on to the animal), which have caused injuries to people as well as pets.
Protecting Pets When You Have Visitors, New Additions or Special Events in Your Home:
* Holiday guests, parties and other events can be very stressful so make sure dogs have a safe place to retreat to.
* Make sure visitors know not to let pets escape out the door. Monitor all doorways closely, and make sure pets are wearing current I.D. in case they escape out a door when visitors come and go.
* When dogs are stressed by household activity, changes in the home or during travel, they may need more water. Dogs typically pant more when they feel stressed. So always keep fresh water available.
* Never leave dogs and children alone together. Always have an experienced adult supervise, no matter how well behaved the dog is.
* Take precautions when there’s a frail or ill person in your house. Even a well cued dog can injure a vulnerable person by jumping up on the person, possibly scratching, hurting or knocking over the person. Weak, visually disabled and elderly folks have tripped over pets and suffered injuries as a result

copyright – kizkiznobite 2003

[Anonymous]

hi,

can i add sticks and frizbee’s to that list.  some frizbee’s are OK (like the one Bev & I found when we were walking) but others seem to be made froma thin brittle plastic I got given one for William and he picked it up once and “crrrunch” it split leaving sharp edges 🙁  sticks … for chewers there is a danger of splitering like with cooked bones, for retrieving there is a danger the dog could run on to the stick unless you are confident the stick will be on the ground before your dog reaches it – i wouldnt advise throwing a stick “to catch in the air” 🙂

another thought – broken dog toys, once your dog has chewed up a toy i would bin it.  if you have a chewer then i would be inclined to crate them while you are out and certainly remove any toys from reach and view.  give a Kong to keep them busy 😉

claire x

[Anonymous]

I would like to add two more thing
One is the water features that do not have to be plumbed in the water in, some of those contains anti freeze.

And the other if you have two or more dogs take their collars off when they are at home when two dogs play it’s easy for a bottom jaw to get caught in a collar.
I know of a dog that had it’s jaws broken playing with a kennel mate this way
Val

[Anonymous]

ahh that is good mentioning about the anti freeze – our cat died after drinking that – we assume from a puddle under a car or something!! >:( :'(  :'(

[Anonymous]

Those are very good points 😉

[baby b]

Great thread,
Can I add to Vals post. Take harnesses off when letting your dog/dogs run free. They can get caught up on things and each other.

[Anonymous]

mmm…

i agree with you baby b, but i have also used william’s harness to ‘save’ him a couple of times too !

[Author]

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