Household Items That Are Unsafe for Your Small Pet

As any homeowner who shares their homes with furry companions can attest, playful pets make wonderful companions. They can liven up the house and enrich our lives in many wonderful ways. But did you know that many people unwittingly expose their pets to harmful substances and situations? So, what are you doing, or not doing, day to day that might be putting your tiny family member in danger? Read on to find out some common dangers the average home poses to a small pet.

Click Here For a Guide to Understanding Your Rabbits Diet.

Household Products

This list contains some of the most common household toxins whether they are encountered through ingestion or skin contact. Keeping your small pets safe is the same as keeping a small child safe. Keep medications and chemicals locked away and out of reach. And always monitor your pet when they are roaming and exploring the home. While some on this list are an "of course," it's still a good idea to look out for anything you've left out by accident:

• Ibuprofen and aspirin
• Acetaminophen
• Cold and flu meds
• Any prescription medication
• Tobacco products
• Detergents
• Bug sprays
• Fabric softener
• Spray cleaners
• Air fresheners
• Disinfectants
• Bleach
• Liquid potpourri
• Essential oils
• Lime/scale remover
• Paint and paint thinners
• Flea and tick products
• Rodent bait
• Insect bait and sprays
• Antifreeze/Coolant
• Gasoline and oil
• Insecticides
• Pesticides
• Fertilizer
• Lighter fluid

Areas to Watch

Watch your pet closely in certain areas of the home where accidents and escapes can occur. For instance, pets can get singed while napping near a lit fireplace, tumble out a window with an unsecured screen, or fall from a balcony if they’re able to fit through the railing. Even with hidden risks, your pet is always safer indoors than outdoors, so keeping them safe and secure inside the home is a major priority. Consider the following areas carefully:

• Doorways
• Windows
• Screen doors
• Stairwells
• Balconies
• Fireplaces
• Decks
• Patios
• Gates

Holiday Items

Some of the most common pet poisonings and health issues come around during the major holidays. With new people in the home, new foods, new items, and new smells, many pets end up getting into things they shouldn’t. This can either occur due to natural curiosity and exploration; or it can happen accidentally when a well-meaning individual gives your pet a taste of a new food or isn’t careful with certain products. Here are some common holiday items to keep away from your pets:

New Year's

• Balloons
• Confetti
• Noise makers

Valentine's Day

• Flowers
• Boxes of chocolate

Easter

• Fake grass
• Spring bulbs

4th of July

• Fireworks
• Streamers
• Lighter fluid

Halloween

• Candles
• Candy

Thanksgiving

• Turkey bones
• Hot containers

Christmas

• Holiday tree
• Light strands
• Tree water
• Decoration hooks
• Tinsel
• Styrofoam

Plants

Many homes have plants of some kind indoors, and while this is not automatically a bad thing, it is something pet owners need to be careful about. Many small pets love nibbling on leaves and stems and unfortunately, many common indoor plants can be very toxic to our furry companions. This is not an exhaustive list but can serve as a good starting point for homeowners to consider phasing out of the home and yard:

• Crocus
• Azalea
• Amaryllis
• Most succulents
• Dracaena
• Daffodil
• Calla Lily
• Hydrangea
• Yucca
• Eucalyptus
• Dieffenbachia
• Lily of the Valley
• Iris
• Ficus
• Philodendron
• Morning Glory
• Hyacinth
• Bromeliads
• Orchids
• Rhododendron
• Pothos
• Daylilies
• Tulip
• Sago Palm
• Oleander
• Poinsettia

Human Food

Some human foods, such as carrots, celery, apples, spinach, and bananas, are fine to use as treats for some of our tiny pets. But others are highly toxic. It’s important not to get the good foods confused with the harmful ones, which can include but are in no way limited to the following:

• Chocolate
• Grapes
• Meat fats
• Garlic
• Salt
• Tea leaves
• Raisins
• Onions
• Coffee
• Caffeine
• Macadamia nuts
• Avocados
• Xylitol
• Alcohol
• Raw yeast dough
• Spoiled foods
• Raw meat

Random Objects

Pets can get hurt by getting tangled or cut by certain items, and small objects can be a major choking hazard to curious pets nibbling on something they shouldn’t. Many seemingly innocent items can hurt your pet. One good way to go about looking at this level of pet-proofing is to think of your pet as a small child. Pay close attention to items such as these:

• Coins
• Buttons
• Jewelry
• Laundry piles
• Yarn or thread
• Sewing needles
• Batteries
• Ladders
• Stools
• Floor rugs
• Paper clips
• Pins and thumbtacks
• Rubber bands
• Twist ties
• Plastic wrap
• Silverware and dishes
• Cotton swabs
• Metal rulers
• Hair pins
• Eye glasses
• Dental floss
• Rugs
• Razors
• Electrical cords

It is not always possible to protect your small pet from every dangerous item that might lurk in your home. But, with a little planning and research, you can help create a safe environment for your furry friend. Being proactive and doing everything you can now to remove these threats and give your furry friend a safe place to live and play can help protect them now and down the road. Careful planning and responsible monitoring are the best ways to keep your small pet safe.

Offer Healthy Chewing Alternatives

To help keep them from chewing random things around your house, it’s important that they always have fresh grass hay available to them. Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas should have a diet made up of mostly grass hay, which is good for both their digestive system and their dental health.

You can also give them Apple Chew Sticks or Willow Chew Sticks to keep them entertained and away from items around the house. Bonus, it will help to wear down their ever-growing teeth!