25 Common Household Dangers for Dogs You Might Not Know About

The Kitchen

Xylitol-containing products: Sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butter brands, baked goods, and even some vitamins. Always check labels.
Cooked bones: Splinter into sharp fragments that can perforate the intestines.
Onion and garlic (all forms): Toxic to red blood cells. This includes powdered forms in seasoning blends.
Alcohol: Even small amounts cause dangerous intoxication in dogs.
Coffee grounds and tea bags: Caffeine toxicity.
Unbaked yeast dough: Expands in the stomach and produces alcohol.

Human medications: A single Tylenol (acetaminophen) tablet can kill a small dog. Ibuprofen causes kidney failure.
Essential oils: Many are toxic when ingested or diffused near dogs, including tea tree, peppermint, cinnamon, citrus, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang.
Dental floss: If swallowed, it can wrap around the intestines, creating a linear foreign body that requires emergency surgery.

Antifreeze: Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that attracts dogs. Fatal in tiny amounts.
Rodent poison (rat bait): Causes internal bleeding or kidney failure depending on the type. Dogs that eat poisoned rodents can also be affected.
Cocoa mulch: Made from cacao shells, contains theobromine (the same toxin in chocolate). Smells like chocolate, attracting dogs.
Fertilizers and herbicides: Many contain toxic chemicals. Keep dogs off treated lawns for 48 hours.
Slug and snail bait (metaldehyde): Extremely toxic, causes seizures.

For more on this topic, see our guide on The Ultimate List of Toxic Foods for Dogs.

Socks and underwear: The number one cause of intestinal blockage surgery in dogs. They eat them whole.
Batteries: Contain caustic acids that burn the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
Pennies (post-1982): Contain zinc, which causes zinc toxicity and hemolytic anemia if swallowed.
Electrical cords: Chewing through a live cord causes severe burns to the mouth and can be fatal.
Small children’s toys: Lego bricks, marbles, and small plastic parts are common choking hazards.

Sago Palm: Every part of this common houseplant is toxic. Ingestion causes liver failure and is frequently fatal.
Lilies: While more dangerous to cats, some lily varieties cause GI upset in dogs.
Oleander: All parts are toxic and can cause cardiac arrest.
Azaleas and Rhododendrons: Cause vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiovascular collapse.
Tulip and daffodil bulbs: Concentrated toxins in the bulb cause GI distress.
Mushrooms (wild): Many backyard mushroom species are toxic. If your dog eats a wild mushroom, treat it as an emergency.