Relaxing in the comfortable sanctuary of your home after a long day at work is heavenly—until your cat streaks past with a spool of thread unraveling from their mouth, or your dog starts crunching on something that is not a squeaky toy. While your pet’s antics can be adorable, they can also result in serious, potentially deadly, consequences from dangerous items in your home.

Discover the surprising—yet common—household items that may be lurking in your home that can harm your four-legged friend, and then take steps to keep your pet safe from danger. Here are some common items you may or may not realize can pose a threat to your pet.

#1: Houseplants

Many common houseplants and flowers are toxic to pets if ingested. Some of the most popular that endanger your pet include:

  • Caladium, peace lilies, dieffenbachia, philodendron, and pothos — These popular houseplants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, intense burning, swelling, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by pets.
  • Oleander — Oleander is highly toxic to pets and ingesting large quantities can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abdominal pain, tremors, seizures, and death.
  • Jade plant — While jade plants are popular indoor succulents, they can be toxic to pets if ingested, causing vomiting, depression, and incoordination.
  • Aloe vera — Aloe vera contains saponins and anthraquinones, which can cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.
  • True lilies — True lilies, including Easter lilies, tiger lilies, Asiatic lilies, and others from the Lilium and Hemerocallis genera, are extremely toxic to cats. Ingestion of any part of the plant, including the leaves, petals, stems, and pollen, or drinking the vase water, can cause acute, potentially fatal, kidney failure in cats.

#2: Small objects

Small items like paper clips, buttons, and children’s toys—and their batteries—can intrigue curious pets, who may play with and swallow the objects. These items can become choking hazards or GI obstructions, while batteries can cause toxicity or chemical burns.

#3: String-like objects

Items such as dental floss, sewing thread, ribbon, and yarn can cause a linear foreign body (i.e., a specific type of intestinal blockage) if ingested by pets. Cats are especially drawn to playing with strings and can inadvertently swallow strands that can become wrapped around the tongue. Although the string does not move through the intestinal tract, the body continues the digestive process, and the strands can saw through intestinal walls and cause sepsis.

#3: Glow sticks and jewelry

Glow sticks and some jewelry contain dibutyl phthalate and hydrogen peroxide, chemicals that can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. The liquid inside can also irritate or burn your pet’s skin and eyes, so dispose of all glow items properly.

#4: Essential oils

Many essential oils are dangerous to pets, especially in concentrated forms. However, diffusers and diluted oils are also hazardous and can cause drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, incoordination, tremors, and seizures. Some of the most common essential oils that threaten pets include:

  • Cinnamon
  • Citrus
  • Clove
  • Eucalyptus
  • Pennyroyal
  • Peppermint
  • Pine
  • Sweet birch 
  • Tea tree
  • Wintergreen

#5: Foam items

Foam items, such as pet beds or stuffed toys, that pets like to eat can cause GI blockages or obstructions. Signs that your pet may have ingested foam include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, and appetite loss.

#6: Silica gel packs

While silica gel itself is non-toxic, the small packets often contain beads of cobalt chloride, which is toxic to pets if ingested. Ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, kidney damage.

#7: Personal care products

Many personal care products contain ingredients that can be toxic if ingested by pets. For example, some lotions and creams contain artificial fragrances or chemicals that can cause GI upset. Toothpaste, mouthwash, and sunscreen often contain xylitol, which can lead to severe hypoglycemia and liver failure. If your pet ingests perfumes or nail polish remover, they can suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and central nervous system depression.

#8: Dryer sheets

Dryer sheets often contain fragrances, softening agents, and chemicals like cationic detergents, which are toxic to pets and ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, coughing, difficulty breathing, and GI blockages.

#9: Home improvement supplies

Many home improvement supplies contain toxic chemicals that can harm pets if ingested or inhaled. For example, paint, varnish, and adhesives may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate the respiratory tract or cause central nervous system depression, while ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and chemical burns.

#10: Art supplies

Art supplies that contain toxic substances such as solvents, heavy metals, and pigments can harm pets if ingested or inhaled. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, difficulty breathing, and neurological issues.

If your pet ingests any dangerous household items or shows signs of poisoning, seek immediate veterinary attention by contacting our Oriole Road Animal Hospital team.