7 Household Items That Can Make Your Dog Sick

As the owner of a dog or puppy, keeping your furry friend healthy is likely one of your top priorities. But some owners don’t understand the hidden pet health hazards in their own homes. The following are some of the most common items that could make your dog sick if consumed.

1. Grapes: While you love munching these fruits on a summer day, refrain from sharing with your dog. Raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure if your dog eats them.
2. Chocolate: Perhaps the most well known food hazard for pups, chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which are both toxic for your pooch. If they do consume chocolate by accident, call the veterinarian right away.
3. Raw Meat: Some owners justify giving their dog’s raw meat due to the species’ wild ancestry. However, today’s domesticated pets do not have the same tolerance for raw meat! They are still able to contract Salmonella poisoning like humans.
4. Lawn Chemicals: If you choose to treat your lawn with synthetic fertilizer, avoid letting your dog on the grass until the lawn company says you’re in the clear. This will make your animal sick if ingested, and it is not good for their paws either.
5. Medications: Be sure to always keep your medications out of reach of your dog. Eating pills can be hazardous, damaging your pet’s liver.
6. Small Toys: Just as you would keep small toys and objects off the floor when you have a small child, you should try to do the same for your dog. If they pick up one of these objects, they can choke or swallow them. Although some breeds are more likely to incur a foreign body ingestion than others, caution should be used with all dogs.  
7. Macadamia Nuts: Another little-known hazard, these crunchy snacks are actually poisonous for your dog. So, if you are eating them, keep them out of reach of your four-legged friend.