15 Things You Should Never Have in a Pet-Friendly Home

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Making your home pet friendly involves more than just providing the comfy beds and fun toys for your pets. It’s about ensuring that your space is a safe, welcoming, and hazard free place for them to be in. Pets can be harmed by some of the things we keep around because they are convenient, stylish or practical, even if they don’t appear to be dangerous.

Pets are curious by nature. Dogs and cats, specifically, are big explorers and chewers, and sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. If you don’t set up your home properly, this curiosity can turn dangerous very quickly. For the love of your furry friends, here’s a list of household items that you should rethink keeping around if you live with pets.

Open Trash Cans

Open trash cans are like an all you can eat buffet for pets. The aroma of discarded food, its packaging, or perhaps even old tissues may be irresistible. Unfortunately, these items can be choking hazards ingestion of toxic substances. Instead choose a pet proof trash can that has a tight lid.

String, Yarn, and Ribbons

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String and ribbons are particular favorites of kittens, but they readily may be considered as a choking hazard, or may cause intestinal blockage if consumed. Sew and wrap accessories should be kept safely out of reach.

Exposed Electrical Cords

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Puppies and kittens can see electrical cords as chew toys. If they are chewed, they can electrocute or burn. Get rid of the temptation by using cord covers or tying them to the wall.

Unsecured Medications

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Surprisingly, pets are good at finding and opening pill bottles. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen or antidepressants can be deadly if swallowed. Store medications in locked cabinets or high shelves pets can’t reach.

Chocolate and Xylitol

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Xylitol, found in sugar free gums and candies, is just as deadly, and chocolate is well known as a toxic food for pets. If these things are inside a bag or on a counter, they will seem safe to us, but pets can literally sniff these out. According to the ASPCA, cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs have been on the rise, so keeping these completely out of reach is a must.

Toxic Cleaning Supplies

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If pets lick or inhale harsh cleaners such as bleach, ammonia and others, they can sustain some very serious damage. Instead, choose pet safe cleaning products or lock those dangerous chemicals in a place inaccessible to your pet.

Small Decorative Items

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Small knick knacks, like marbles decorative stones, or perhaps tiny holiday ornaments can be choking hazards. Curious dogs and other pets may mistake these items for toys and you could have a medical emergency on your hands.

Lilies and Sago Palms

Not all greenery is pet friendly. Cats can become ill from eating lilies or the sago palm, which is toxic to both dogs and cats and causes liver failure. If you’re a plant lover, you’d be better off with pet safe plants like spider plants or Boston ferns.

Open Toilets

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That’s right — open toilet lids can be harmful to pets, especially small dogs and cats. By falling in, or perhaps drinking out of, the bowl, they are exposed to dangerous cleaning agents or bacteria. A simple fix is to keep the lid closed.

Essential Oils

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Although essential oils could be the perfect thing to help you unwind after a long day, some can be toxic to pets. Tea tree, eucalyptus and citrus oils can irritate the respiratory system, cause drooling and even seizures. VCA Animal Hospitals says diffusers can expose pets to dangerous levels of these oils so it’s best to use diffusers cautiously or use something else altogether.

Unstable Furniture

Climb, jump, explore, these are the things that pets love. Furry friends can easily get hurt from unstable shelves or wobbly furniture easily tipping over. Securing furniture to walls can help make your home safer for everyone.

Human Food Left on Counters

Many foods that are common in most households, including grapes, onions, garlic, and raisins, are toxic to pets. The risk of accidental ingestion is increased by leaving them on counters in reach. If you have pets, think about pet proofing your kitchen by putting child safe locks on cabinets.

Candles and Open Flames

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Flickering lights are also a curiosity for pets, so they might knock over candles and cause burns or house fires. If coziness is what you are after, consider flameless LED candles instead.

Loose Change

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You may think coins aren’t harmful, but if swallowed, they can get stuck in the throat and cause choking, or they can cause a zinc poisoning. Dogs (and other pets) are famous for eating small objects, so it is important to keep loose change out of their reach.

Pest Control Products

Pest control products such as rat poison, ant traps, are extremely toxic to pets. Small amounts can cause severe poisoning. If you do have to use these products, use pet safe alternatives or place them where your pets cannot get to them.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.