Sadly, there are several household items which we tend totake for granted that are potentially very hazardous to yourdog's health. It is especially important to be aware of this because asyou know, dogs are very much scavengers and will often eat whateverthey can sink their fangs into. I would say that may own dog is morelike a mobile garbage disposal. It is also very important to be aware ofthese itemssince their sense of smell is so well developed that your pooch will beable to find what you may think is well hidden.

One of these dangerous household items, it turns out, is simplechocolate. While chocolate has been reported recently to be high inhuman-friendly antioxidants,it appears to be potentially lethal for our pets, and particularly forour dogs. Cats are mostly unaffected since they do not care for thetaste of chocolate, but dogs tend tobe crazy about it. Certain breeds of dogs react indifferently tochocolate. The root of the problem is that chocolate contains variouschemicals which are called methylxanthine alkaloids(sometypes have more ofthese chemicals than others)

Sadly, relatively minuscule amounts of these chemicals are capable ofcausing such serious problems as constriction of the arteries and anincreased heart rate. Large amounts may cause even more dire symptoms anda pound of milk chocolate could possibly kill a sixteen pound dog.If you find that your dog has eaten chocolate then by all means takenote of the it's type and try to estimate the amount eaten. Then get onthe phone with a veternarian or an emergency facility. Be sure that yourchildren know how important it is to keep chocolate out of your dog'sreach.

Some mushrooms, for example, can produce abdominal pain, liver anddkidney damage and amenia. So be aware of wild mushrooms when you are outwalking your dog in wooded areas. Garlic may seem benign but can causevomiting, liver damage, anemia and diarrhea so do not give your pet babyfood since it can contain garlic.

Anti-freeze can shut down your dog's kidney and they tend to love thetaste. Miscletoe can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and depression.Onions can causeliver damage, anemia and diarrhea. Onion can also sometimesbe found in baby food. Cats are actually somewhat more sensitive tothis one so keep out of the reach of both.

Coffee, like cocoa, is especially dangerous, and may cause heart rateincrease, diarrhea, seizures, coma, death. Caffeine just does not havethe same effect in dogs.

When outside be careful around apple and cherry trees. While the fruitis safe, the leaves and roots are not.

And be very careful about Moth Balls.Concerning dog food, you should be looking for dyes
and other chemicals, according to Dr. Jane
BHA, for instance, which is one of the main synthetic
antioxidant preservatives used to prevent food
discoloration, has been observed to cause cancer in laboratory
rats at certain doses.