Tim Amherst

Pit Bulls tend to be very curious about their surroundings, and
if you haven't already done so, you should dog proof your house
to help keep him safe. There are many everyday household items
that can be potentially deadly to your Pit Bull, things you may
not even think about. This article will help you learn about a
few of the most often overlooked items, so that you can better
protect your Pit Bull's health.



Antifreeze is responsible for many pet deaths each year. It is
extremely important to keep antifreeze or any containers that
have been contaminated with antifreeze out of your Pit Bull's
reach. You should be especially on alert if you own a garage or
have one near your house, as there is often antifreeze easily
within your Pit Bull's reach. Animals will eat antifreeze
because it tastes and smells sweet, therefore proving a
temptation that many are unable to resist. You should be
familiar with the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning, and if you
see them, or suspect antifreeze poisoning get your Pit Bull to
the veterinarian immediately. Common symptoms: fatigue,
seizures, nausea, if left untreated can lead to kidney failure.



Bleach is another common household item that is dangerous to
your Pit Bull. Keep anything that contains bleach out of your
Pit Bull's reach. If you think your Pit Bull is suffering from
bleach poisoning, take him to the veterinarian immediately.
Signs of possible bleach poisoning include: nausea and vomiting,
excessive drooling, and stomach pain. Chocolate can also be
dangerous for your Pit Bull to consume. It contains bromine,
which can be very toxic for dogs. Bromine is found in higher
levels in baking chocolate and dark chocolate, but can be found
in all kinds of chocolate. Usually, your Pit Bull would have to
eat a lot of chocolate for it to kill him, but there is no set
safe amount. You can recognize possible chocolate toxicity in
your Pit Bull if you know what to look for. Common symptoms may
include diarrhea, frenzied excitement, increased urination, and
vomiting.



Tylenol is a common sense item to keep away from your Pit Bull.
Two regular strength Tylenol caplets contain enough
acetaminophen to kill a small dog. Your Pit Bull's liver can't
break acetaminophen down quickly enough, eventually causing
death. As with the other substances previously mentioned, if you
think your Pit Bull might be suffering from Tylenol poisoning,
call your veterinarian immediately.



If by some chance your Pit Bull were to swallow a watch battery,
he could possibly die in as little as twelve hours. Watch
batteries in particular can cause stomach ulcerations and fatal
bleeding. Any alkaline battery can be extremely dangerous to
your Pit Bull.



Fabric softener is commonly found in most households, and is
probably one of the most toxic to your Pit Bull. A Pit Bull that
ingests fabric softener may vomit, drool excessively, suffer
from muscle weakness and fatigue, and may even slip into a coma.
Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment.



Many plants that you have in your home can be very dangerous for
your Pit Bull if he decides to take a bite. Poinsettias, ferns
and lilies are especially toxic. Many plants can be fatal to
your Pit Bull if he eats them. If you think your Pit Bull may
have eaten one of your houseplants, even if it is one not listed
here, contact your veterinarian to be safe.



You can protect your Pit Bull by trying to keep any potentially
toxic substance out of his reach, and by educating everyone in
your household to do the same. Your veterinarian can help with
further information on commonly toxic things and the dangers of
them. In the event your Pit Bull may have had contact with a
poisonous substance, contacting your veterinarian immediately
may help save his life.



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