Denniston Park NA

Everything In Its Place

Nov 18, 2003

by Matt McNeil
Volunteer for Pets and People Humane Society

My grandmother used to frequently say, "Everything in its place, and a place for everything."?  I'm sure you've all heard this old chestnut -- probably from your own mothers and grandmothers!?  As we all know, though, even the most fastidious housekeeper may find himself or herself looking for the right shelf or the closest cubbyhole in which to stash away this absolute gem or that piece of junk.

For those of us with children and/or animals, though, it's even more important to find "a place for everything," and to stick to a regimen of keeping things put away.

As a committed pet owner (no kids, just two permanent pooches and often a foster dog), I've had to do my share of tidying up in order to keep my four legged friends safe and content.?  I'd like to share a few tips with you so that you, too, can make a companion animal-friendly environment in your own home.?  I'll keep this brief, starting with the two worst offenders and then just touching on some other things to keep your eyes open for.

Let's start with the number one chemical killer of dogs and cats and other companion animals in the United States -- anti-freeze.?  More specifically, ethylene glycol based anti-freeze (the most widely used anti-freeze on the market).? 

Anti-freezes have a sweet taste, and are a real temptation to companion animals.?  Anti-freeze is often spilled on garage floors, on driveways, and around cars and trucks in general.?  You can do one of two things to avoid this hazard and keep your little ones safe.?  First, you can switch to propylene glycol anti-freezes (widely available).?  Although not quite as effective as ethylene glycol based anti-freezes, they are safer to companion animals if ingested in small doses.? 

Barring that, you can also just do the smart thing and handle your anti-freeze with the utmost of care -- be sure to clean up your messes, using water to flush the driveway or garage floor, and/or kitty litter (my favorite option).?  Keep anti-freeze bottles well sealed and high up on garage shelves (remember, "a place for everything"), and be sure to keep your dogs or cats out of the garage in general (there are lots of other hazards in most garages as well).

To use kitty litter to clean up spills is easy and fast, and ethylene glycol absorbed in kitty litter will bio-degrade within just a few months, posing no threat to the environment.?  To use kitty litter to clean up spills, just sprinkle the litter generously over the chemical(s) in question and allow it (i.e., the litter) to soak them up.?  Once they've been absorbed into the litter, merely scoop, bag, and dispose of the saturated litter, then hose the area off thoroughly.

Finally, be careful with household items that may contain anti-freeze.?  In particular, clean up any messes should you break "snow globe" glasses or other glasses/dishes that contain anti-freeze sealed within.?  Also, be careful with those ice cream scoops and spades whose handles contain anti-freeze -- these have been known to leak, and as little as ?¼ oz. can kill a dog or cat who laps up the resulting mess.

A second common hazard animal lovers encounter around the house sounds far more innocuous -- delicious, even!?  What is it??  In one word, chocolate.?  While most Americans enjoy tons of chocolate throughout their lives, dogs and cats in particular are at real risk from this tasty treat.?  (There is a chemical in chocolate called thrombamine that is highly toxic to them.)? 

Under no circumstances should Fluffy and Fifi and Fido be allowed to partake in this favorite of human confections.?  A small amount of milk chocolate may not hurt the average dog or cat, as the milk and other additives have diluted the cocoa butter and cocoa solids therein.?  BUT the darker chocolate candies and (worst of all) cocoa powder and baker's chocolate can kill even large and healthy dogs and cats in a short amount of time.?  If your dog or cat has already developed a taste for cocoa products, try giving him or her carob products instead -- they will give the animal the illusion of chocolate, but without the toxicity.

Other commonly found household things to keep your pets away from include aspirin (cats), raisins and other grape products (dogs), onions (dogs and cats),?  mushrooms (dogs and cats), unbaked yeast dough (all animals), coffee and coffee grounds, cigarettes and cigars (and their butts -- true for kids as well as animals), over the counter and prescription medications (except as indicated by a veterinarian), toys with removable parts (yes, including those darned "squeaky" toys!), household cleaners and chemicals in general, sharp instruments, toxic household plants (including, among others, diffenbachia and asparagus fern), etc.

For more information, contact your local veterinarian and/or animal shelter/humane society.?  There are some excellent online sources as well, but these may contain some exaggerations and/or misinformation, so proceed with caution.?  A good book on canine and/or feline first aid is always an excellent choice; you'll find a large selection in both pet stores and bookshops.

When all's said and done, though, Grandma was right in giving the most helpful and succinct of advice -- "Everything in its place, and a place for everything."?  Keeping hazards picked up and away from your companion animals is the easiest and most effective way of keeping them safe, happy, and healthy.