Believe it or not, some of the most dangerous poisons for pets come from medications that their owners intentionally give them. To help keep your furry friends safe, here’s a list of common household toxins, how often they cause issues, and tips on how to prevent accidental poisoning.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly found in everyday products like toothpaste, mouthwash, sugar-free gum, some cough syrups, and even children’s chewable vitamins. It’s also sometimes added to nut butters, such as peanut or sunflower butter. If you give nut butter to your pets, always check the label first—xylitol is highly toxic to animals and can be dangerous if ingested.
Avocados, originally from Central Mexico, are packed with potassium, fiber, and healthy fats. They grow best in tropical and Mediterranean climates, and a single tree can produce over 500 avocados in a year!
Wild mushrooms can be a real risk for curious dogs, but the level of danger varies. While many mushrooms might only cause mild stomach issues like nausea or diarrhea, some can be highly toxic—even deadly. The tricky part is that harmless and poisonous mushrooms often look very similar, making it difficult to tell them apart. That’s why it’s always best to keep your dog from eating any wild mushrooms and contact your vet right away if they do.
Even in small amounts, garlic can pose big risks. While it’s often praised for its health benefits in humans—like supporting heart health, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, repelling fleas, and even fighting certain cancers—it’s important to remember that what’s good for us isn’t always safe for our pets.
Seeing our pets in pain is heartbreaking, and as loving owners, we naturally want to help them feel better. But it's important to remember that many medications made for humans—even those safe for children—can be extremely dangerous or even fatal to our furry friends.