Safety Tips

Objects removed surgically from dogs: (In order of frequency)

  1. Socks
  2. Underwear
  3. Panty Hose
  4. Rocks
  5. Balls
  6. Chew Toys
  7. Corn Cobs
  8. Bones
  9. Hair Ties and Ribbons
  10. Sticks

Protect your puppy and keep these objects out of reach. Dogs will also chew on remote controls, watches, cell phones, keys, - anything that has your scent on it will attract them. Children’s Lego blocks and small toys are not made to withstand a determined puppy’s teeth. They can choke on them or end up with a blockage.

There are many safe things for a puppy to chew on, such as nylon bones, kongs (in my opinion, the very best, and most indestructible) or a marrow bone from the butcher.

Dangerous things your dog will ingest:

  1. Prescription or over the counter drugs – childproof caps mean absolutely nothing to a puppy with razor sharp teeth.
  2. Suntan lotions, creams, astringents.
  3. Cleaning liquids.
  4. Fertilizers, pesticides.
  5. Blood or bone meal. (while these are probably not injurious to your dog, it may encourage him to dig up your garden plants.)
  6. Plants and bulbs can be poisonous and are too many to list but can easily be googled. Check the plants you have in your garden and home.
  7. Kitty litter, cat food and poop are like a smorgasbord to the dog. Feed the cat in a higher location and get a covered litter pan.
  8. Grass is not a normal thing for the dog to eat and his stomach will become irritated and he will likely vomit.
  9. Liquor – some dogs will go for beer or creamy drinks such as Brown Cow – can cause intestinal problems and out of control behavior.  Watch your friends drinks while entertaining.
  10. Chocolate in large quantities can be fatal.
  11. Onions and garlic if eaten in large quantities will cause Hines Body Anemia, call a vet right away.
  12. Grapes eaten in quantities as little as seven can kill a dog. Raisins are also bad for the dog.
  13. Antifreeze tastes and smells sweet and dogs are attracted to it. It causes the organs to shut down and is one of the most fatal substances.
  14. Tobacco and illegal drugs are even worse for the dog than they are for humans.
  15. Cocoa based mulch products

These are the more common substances found around the home, but there are many more.  Again, you can find a more comprehensive list on the internet.