You know better than to leave chocolate, alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, tobacco/e-cigarette products, and medications within your dog’s reach. But there are lots of other common household items that you might not realize pose a threat to your dog’s health.

These items vary in their toxicity, and of course it matters how much they consume, but here are some hidden hazards to be aware of if you have a dog:

• Garlic and onions. These contain chemical compounds that attach to oxygen molecules in your dog’s blood, causing oxidative damage that leads to anemia. Whether raw, cooked, dried, or even powdered, all parts–the flesh, leaves, and juice–are highly toxic to dogs. These compounds are approximately five times more concentrated in garlic than in onion, so your dog can experience severe harm from even a small portion.
• Grapes and raisins. The tartaric acid in grapes is believed to be a possible culprit for their harm to dogs–it can cause kidney failure. Its concentration is unpredictable and depends on the type and ripeness of the grape, so it’s technically possible for a dog to suffer kidney injury from just one grape. If he manages to snatch one, watch him closely for the next 24 hours for warning signs like severe vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, extreme thirst, or urinary issues.
• Macadamia nuts. Though scientists aren’t sure why, macadamia nuts can cause temporary neurological and muscular issues in dogs, even in tiny amounts. Their high fat content can also lead to pancreatitis. Watch out for mobility issues, tremors, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever–these typically show up within 3 to 12 hours and last for up to two days.
• Salt. Like humans, dogs need just the right amount of salt–not too much, not too little. The sodium content in dog food is formulated very specifically to meet their needs, so anything beyond that can be risky. Things like rock salt, homemade play dough, salt dough Christmas ornaments, and “people food” like soy sauce, table salt, chips, and pretzels, can all be more dangerous than you might expect. That’s because excess salt can pull water out of your dog’s bloodstream and into her intestines, causing dehydration and vomiting. Too much salt can also cause high blood pressure in dogs.
• Xylitol. This common sweetener is probably hiding somewhere in your kitchen or bathroom. Beware of xylitol in oral hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash as well as sugarless baked goods, gum, mints, and candy–it’s even found in some high-protein/low-sugar peanut butter. Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs because it triggers a dramatic and dangerous insulin spike that makes your dog’s blood sugar drop suddenly, which can make her weak and uncoordinated–she might even collapse or have a seizure. Additionally, high amounts of xylitol can cause liver failure.
• Raw bread dough with yeast. While plain dry yeast won’t hurt your dog, eating unbaked dough with active baker’s yeast is a medical emergency for two reasons: one, the warmth of the dog’s stomach will cause it to expand rapidly, causing life-threatening bloat, and two, the fermentation process produces toxic ethanol that can cause alcohol poisoning.

“People food” isn’t the only threat to dogs. Things you might store in your garage or shed also need to be kept out of their reach: antifreeze, pool chemicals, ice melting products, insecticides, pesticides, rodent bait, fertilizers, weed killers, paints, and solvents. 

If you use mulch in your flowerbeds, stick with the standard kind or a rubber alternative, not cocoa mulch. Made from the outer shells of roasted cocoa beans, it contains the same compounds that make chocolate dangerous for dogs. (For this reason, you should also avoid letting your dog eat mulch on walks, just in case it’s cocoa mulch.)

If you don’t have young children, you probably don’t have cabinet locks like parents of mischievous toddlers do. But let’s face it: your dog basically is a mischievous toddler. If he’s not busy stealing dirty socks, he might be snooping to see what else he can get into, just to keep you on your toes. 

Make sure he can’t get to any household cleaners, dryer sheets, liquid potpourri, or mothballs–all of these can be toxic to him. Store them in a locked cabinet or drawer, or high on a closet shelf, to keep him safe.

You’re lucky if you have a fenced yard for your dog to run around in and burn off her energy. Dogs love to play outside, bark at the Amazon delivery drivers, guard your property, and keep tabs on the neighborhood kids. But not all fenced yards are dog-safe–lots of common plants are toxic to pets.  

• Native Missouri plants that are dangerous to dogs include dogbane, stinging nettle, and wild cherry and plum trees. 
• Also beware of non-native plants that are common in Missouri landscaping, including chrysanthemums, daffodils, lilies, tulips, hyacinths, and English ivy. Hydrangea and yew bushes and certain types of hibiscus can also be dangerous.
• Inside, avoid aloe vera, amaryllis, golden pothos, mother-in-law’s tongue (also known as a snake plant), philodendron, and poinsettia. If you must have these in your home, keep them far out of your dog’s reach.

There are other plants that are toxic to pets besides those listed above, so the best course of action is to:

• Do your research before you plant something outside or bring home an indoor plant.
• Keep your dog from eating your neighbors’ plants on walks.
• Learn how to identify common native, landscaping, and household plants so you can spot threats easily. A handy tool like a Missouri field guide or the free Seek app for your phone can be a big help.

A bored, lonely dog is more prone to find trouble. It’s one thing to come home and find your kitchen trash can’s contents scattered across the floor or your new couch chewed up, and another thing to walk in the door to a dog who’s been sickened by something he got into.

This is one reason people rely on Prancing Paws for drop-in visits. Whether you work long shifts, have extended days of errands, take day trips, or need to be away to care for a loved one, we’re here to keep your dog safe and happy, and to set your mind at ease.

• Interaction and stimulation. Just like humans, our pets get lonely when their companions are away for a long time, and they crave the mental stimulation and emotional fulfillment of human interaction. On a drop-in visit, we’ll pet and cuddle your dog, talk to her, play with her, and make sure she can expend some physical and mental energy. By the time we leave, she’ll be ready to rest until it’s time to greet you when you return.
  
• Administering medication. If your dog takes daily medications or has a prescription to help with a temporary health concern, we’ll make sure he gets his meds safely and on time.
  
• Refreshing your dog’s food and water. We’ll make sure your dog stays fed and hydrated while you’re away. Running out of water can be dangerous, and it can happen easily while you’re gone for a long time. Even if you fill a big bowl before you leave, it can easily be knocked over by clumsy snouts and paws, leaving your pup panting with thirst and in danger of salt toxicity. Surprisingly, summer heat isn’t the only major risk factor for this serious veterinary issue—it’s also surprisingly common in winter, when water bowls freeze over.
  
• Giving your dog a potty break. Stepping into puddles and piles is not a happy way to be welcomed home after a long day. It’s frustrating when this happens, but you know your dog can’t help it when she’s left alone too long. Our drop-in visits help to ensure your dog has a potty break in the middle of the day so you don’t come home to any unpleasant surprises.
• Taking your dog for a walk. On a drop-in visit, we’ll make sure your dog gets a good, long walk. It’s not just about exercise and doing her business; walks are an important source of mental enrichment, and they help her regulate her behavior. Many of her habits that make you want to pull out your hair–hyperactivity, barking, and chewing up your favorite things–can be reduced by giving her a chance to release her pent-up energy and activate her brain. Sniffing on walks isn’t just a funny habit; it’s a biological need for a dog because her sense of smell is how she experiences the world. It lights up various parts of her brain, provides cognitive enrichment, and triggers a dopamine release that makes her feel calm and happy while lowering her heart rate. The sniff stops may drive you crazy on walks, but they don’t bother us a bit.