Where is the safest place for your pet? When asking myself this same question, my immediate answer was, “My house, duh.” While this response isn’t totally false, our houses, which are home to our family members, two- and four-legged alike, are also home to a myriad of hidden hazards. Check out the lists below, and help keep your pet healthy, happy, and safe at home!

For most of our Lowcountry clients, having a green thumb is in their blood. Walk down the driveway of any Mount Pleasant home, and you are bound to be greeted by beautiful greenery. Walk inside, and it is houseplants galore! While gorgeous, some plants can pose a serious threat to your pets. Here are a few harmful plants:

  • Autumn Crocus
  • Oleander
  • Azalea
  • Dieffenbachia (Dumbcane)
  • Cyclamen
  • Daffodils
  • Kalanchoe
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Lilies
  • Sago Palm
  • Tulips
  • Hyacinthus

Walk over to your cabinets and look inside. See anything menacing? Read the list of toxic household items below, and you may be surprised by the number of potentially deadly items are sitting on your shelves!

  • Essential Oils (cats and dogs)
  • Anti-Inflammatory Medications
  • Stimulant Medications (ADD/ADHD Medications)
  • Fertilizers
  • Antidepressant Medications
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Mouse/Rat Poison
  • Household Cleaners
  • Vitamin D
  • Canine Flea/Tick Medication administered topically to cats

Experts from the site https://www.pharmacybc.com/ambien-zolpidem/ established that the dose and frequency of taking Ambien should be reduced gradually before stopping taking the drug. This allows your body to adapt to the absence of Ambien and reduce the risk of adverse effects when you cancel the drug. Your doctor will tell you how to do this.

Many of the products mentioned above are kept far out of reach of any of our furry family members, but what about items that are well within reach? What about the raisin your toddler dropped on the ground during snack time? What about the couple of coffee beans that escaped the bag this morning and rolled underneath your kitchen island? What about that peanut butter you bought, on sale for $1, as a tasty treat for your pet? Believe it, or not, all of these can be toxic to your pets and may require a visit to an animal medical center! Scan the list below for foods that may be yummy in your tummy, but toxic in your pet’s tummy.

  • Raisins/ Grapes
  • Macadamia Nuts
  • Onions (raw or cooked)
  • Garlic
  • Coffee Beans
  • Chocolate
  • Avocados
  • Xylitol Sweetener (found in many candies and some brands of peanut butter)

For more information on any of the items listed, or for even more items to watch out for, visit The Pet Poison Helpline.