When Curiosity Turns Risky
Your home is like a giant playground for your pets, filled with things they love to explore. However, sometimes, curiosity gets the best of them, and something harmless-looking can become a choking hazard. So be sure to hide away these 10 seemingly innocuous household items if you want to keep your pet safe and avoid any emergency visits to the vet.
1. Cooked Bones From Table Scraps
Cooked bones are one of the most common choking hazards for pets. Unlike raw bones, which can sometimes be safe for dogs under supervision, cooked bones tend to splinter when chewed. These sharp fragments can easily get stuck in the throat or puncture the esophagus.
2. Small Children’s Toys
Toys designed for kids are not suitable for pets. Items such as small action figures, doll accessories, building blocks, or rubber balls are easy for pets to swallow but can become lodged in their airways. Chewing on small toys can also lead to broken fragments that can obstruct the throat or be swallowed.
3. Rawhide Chews
As dogs chew rawhide, it softens and breaks into large, slippery pieces that can block their throat, causing choking. If swallowed, these pieces could lead to intestinal blockages that may require surgical intervention. Additionally, some rawhide chews are treated with chemicals, which may pose risks to pets.
4. Loose Threads
Cats are especially attracted to strings, ribbons, and yarn because of their playful movements. Dogs, too, may chew on these items out of curiosity. However, these materials are deceptively dangerous. They can wrap around the tongue or get stuck in the throat. To prevent this, store these items securely and dispose of any loose pieces.
5. Plastic Bags and Packaging
Plastic bags are common household items that pets might chew on or attempt to swallow. A small piece can become stuck in the throat, while larger sections can obstruct the airway or digestive tract. The risk is particularly high with snack bags that still carry the scent of food. Pets may try to lick or chew the bag, leading to suffocation.
6. Food Wrappers and Aluminum Foil
The crinkly texture and shiny appearance of wrappers can attract curious pets. Aluminum foil, in particular, poses a double threat with its sharp edges that can cause cuts and its potential to block the digestive tract if swallowed. Chewing on wrappers can also lead to choking or other severe complications.
7. Hard Fruits With Pits or Cores
Always cut fruits into small pieces and discard any seeds, pits, or cores before feeding them to your pet. The reason? Pitted fruits, such as peaches, and seeded fruits, like apples, can be harmful to pets. Apple seeds contain cyanide, which is dangerous if consumed in significant amounts, while pits can cause choking.
8. Rocks and Pebbles
Pets, particularly dogs, often play with or chew on rocks and pebbles while outdoors. These seemingly harmless objects can become lodged in the throat. Larger rocks can also damage teeth or get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract if swallowed. Hence, dogs that enjoy fetching or digging must have access to safe toys as alternatives.
9. Coins and Small Metal Objects
These items are not only choking hazards but can also pose a poisoning risk if ingested. For example, pennies minted after 1982 contain high levels of zinc, which is toxic to pets and can cause severe health issues. It’s best to keep coins and other small metal objects stored in secure containers.
10. Household Batteries
When a pet chews or swallows a battery, it can cause life-threatening injuries. The corrosive chemicals inside can leak, leading to painful burns in the mouth, esophagus, or digestive tract. Button batteries are especially dangerous due to their small size, which can cause them to get lodged in the throat or stomach.
