As a nation of dog lovers, we’re all aware of the curious nature of our pets, which can lead them to eat anything but some things are really bad for them. However, there are many toxic substances found in your home that could potentially kill your dog. The following is a list of 4 common household substances that you should make sure to keep out of your dog’s reach. Take the advice below and it will help you make sure your dog health care routine isn’t compromised.

1) Antifreeze: Many people do not realize it, but common antifreeze kills many pets each year. Unfortunately, the sweet smell makes it appealing to your dog. Ethylene glycol is toxic however, and each winter, many animals are killed by it. The symptoms of ingesting a toxic substance are awful, and your dog will end up with kidney failure. Make sure to keep your antifreeze out of your dog’s reach. If your dog does end up ingesting some antifreeze, call the vet immediately.

2) Chocolate: Dark chocolate is a prime example of something very dangerous to dogs. People assume that only large amounts kill pets, but in fact any amount can prove dangerous. The symptoms you need to be aware of with chocolate poisoning are diarrhoea and vomiting. Your dog might even suffer seizures and it can raise the heartbeat. If you think your dog might have just eaten some chocolate, visit the vet promptly. Chocolate ingestion is very dangerous for your dog’s health.

3) Bleach: Something like bleach is highly toxic to your dog. All bleach-related products are to be kept high up out of a dog’s reach. If your dog does drink bleach, the symptoms are nasty, including abdominal pain. Do NOT induce vomiting if you suspect your dog has ingested bleach and contact your vet immediately. Just by following these tips, you can feel confident that you’re doing all you can to keep on top of your dog health care routine.

4) Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. Mouthwash poisoning can even send your dog into a coma, which is a heartbreaking thought. Once again, any mouthwash ingestion requires a visit to the vet.

If you own a pet then you have to take responsibility for it and this means looking after its health and keeping toxic products out of reach. Making sure your dog has a lovely conditioned coat is important, as is showering it with love, but this isn’t a good dog health care routine if your pet ends up dying from ingesting a toxic substance. As always, if you think your dog may have eaten something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to the closest emergency clinic.