Everybody who owns a dog has had one of those close calls: food left out, a strange sickness, or a door left ajar. Pet-related stress is unavoidable over the years, and it is our job to make sure our furry friends make it through unharmed. And while some situations come out of left field and cannot be predicted or avoided, others are easily sidestepped with some careful planning. Dogs, in particular, have a habit of breaking into things they shouldn’t: understanding this is part of being a dog owner.

The next step past understanding this, obviously, is taking precautionary measures. Here are a few good tips for helping your dog avoid some of the common household toxins.

Put Away Cleaning Supplies

Most substances you would keep out of the reach of your children should also never come into contact with your dog. Among these are most common household cleaners, which may be scented and appealing to a hungry pet. Some examples of these include bleach, fabric softener and detergents, and toilet or sink cleaners; anything chemical and potentially dangerous with consumption. Keep these behind a secure cabinet or, preferably, on a shelf in a latched closet.

Research Pet Meds

Many medications — including tick and flea medications — come chocked full of potentially harmful chemicals which hurt your dog even as they eliminate or protect against pests. As research continues into the effects of pesticides, it becomes clear they are detrimental to more than just the bugs they are targeting. Flea and tick collars both fall into the pesticide category, and while they may prove to be harmless to your pet, sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry.

As an alternative, there are several natural and holistic options for prevention and cure. Regular grooming and washing of your pet can prevent an outbreak of fleas or ticks and will tip you off to the problem before it is out of control. If insects have taken up residence, opting for oral medications is usually a much safer option for your pet and the household. For ticks, using baby oil or other nontoxic lubricants can help loosen entrenched pests.

Be Careful With Houseplants

Some houseplants can prove fatal to a pet. Researching a list of specific plants that are nontoxic to you breed of dog should be a preliminary step before buying new houseplants or a new dog. While most plants are ultimately safe for dogs, there are a few common houseplants — including aloe and some palms — that are moderately or extremely toxic to pets. Remove these from your house and replace them with a safer option to keep your air fresh.

Avoid Poison

Unsurprisingly, removing poison from your house is one of the best ways to prevent harming your pet. However, this can include anything from the aforementioned cleaning supplies to rat poison. Pets tend to sample whatever is available, and it’s important to make sure any rat or bug poison is kept out of reach of curious canine mouths. Many of these substances are toxic to most animals, not just the ones they target.

Watch Out for Chocolate!

Some dogs are fairly tolerant to chocolate; others are not. Especially if you own a small dog, leaving chocolate within reach can be a fatal mistake. Even in the best cases, consumption means potential sickness and some nasty cleanup for the owner. While many dogs will not actively seek out the other toxic substances on this list, chocolate is a tantalizing prospect for most animals, who are drawn to the sugar.

Make sure any chocolate is put away high up in a secure cupboard or refrigerator/freezer. If your dog does ingest chocolate, immediately call a vet or local animal hospital. In the meantime, make sure your pet drinks tons of water, as chocolate — and any sickness — tends to dehydrate.

Dog Ownership

While owning a dog is occasionally stressful, the experience is nonetheless worth it for most owners. Don’t let the hazards of ownership push you away from the joys of a loving pet. However, it also pays to be aware of your surroundings, and to prevent the most likely hazards facing your pet. Removing particularly harmful substances should be your first step, and the above list outlines some of the worst offenders.

Bio:

Emily is an avid animal lover and pet and wildlife conservation blogger. She has also written for Continental Kennel Club and is a contributor to PetsBlogs. To read more of her articles, check out her blog, Conservation Folks, or follow her on Twitter.