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PAW-LY PETS

Eight surprising household objects that can kill your furry friends

If any of these are lying around your home, it's time to move them

WE ALL know that you should never give dogs chocolate if you want to keep them healthy, but there are more dangers lurking in our homes that can cause our beloved pets harm.

With animals prone to eating anything and everything that's lying around, here are some of the surprising everyday household items that can hurt the nation's favourite creatures.

 Bye bye birdie? Fowl gases from non-stick pans can have devastating effects
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Bye bye birdie? Fowl gases from non-stick pans can have devastating effectsCredit: Getty - Contributor

Frying pan fumes can gas your budgie

Gases given off by the coating of popular non-stick pots and pans can kill home birds like budgies and parrots.

When the pans get hot they can give out colourless, odourless polytetrafluoroethylene gases, which are poisonous to birds.

Many homeowners may not know that gases given off by the coating of popular non-stick pots and pans can kill home birds
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Many homeowners may not know that gases given off by the coating of popular non-stick pots and pans can kill home birdsCredit: Alamy

Rick Axelson, a Canadian vet, says birds are in particular danger because they have "unique, highly efficient respiratory systems and are therefore very sensitive to inhaled toxins or poisons".

This also means that birds can be harmed by people using aerosol sprays around them.

Plants' potential to poison pets

Flowers like lilies, hyacinths and daffodils may make gorgeous centrepieces, but if a pet eats them they can become very poorly.

Even plants and flowers you may have around the house can cause serious harm
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Even plants and flowers you may have around the house can cause serious harmCredit: Getty - Contributor

Lilies especially are highly toxic for cats and dogs, with the chemicals in the plant's leaves leading to the death of a beloved pet.

The US-based Pet Poison Helpline says: "Even small ingestions (such as 2-3 petals or leaves) can result in severe kidney failure."

Avoca-don't give them to your dog

 Delicious as avocados are, your dog will thank you for not letting him eat one
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Delicious as avocados are, your dog will thank you for not letting him eat oneCredit: Getty - Contributor

Millennials may regard them as a must-have, but danger lurks inside avocados.

The fleshy fruit's stone contain the toxin persin, which can give dogs breathing difficulties and fluid buildup in the chest if they eat it.

What's more, the hard stone is oily and easy for a dog to swallow and suffocate.

The brunch staple is worse for birds, and even cows, with the Pet Poison Helpline saying it causes "acute death" in bovine animals.

Antifreeze is anti-animal

Be sure to keep the garage tidy and free of spills, as the chemicals in common fluids and solvents can cause your pets harm.

Antifreeze is particularly dangerous, as "it can be very tempting, especially for cats as it has a sweet taste.", according to pet care chain PDSA.

Even when ingested in tiny quantities it can can cause kidney failure - with just one teaspoon enough to kill a seven pound feline.

Cords can kill the cat

 Cats playing with string may look cute, but if they eat it it can leave them feeling paw-ly
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Cats playing with string may look cute, but if they eat it it can leave them feeling paw-lyCredit: Photo Stock Library

The image of cats and kittens playing with balls of yarn conjures up adorable images and is staple of both advertising campaign and internet posts.

But the reality is much more dangerous.

Yarn, wool, dental floss or any other string can be deadly for our feline friends, as it will cause internal blockages and get tangled in their intestines.

Painkillers can be pet killers

Don't give up searching if you drop an aspirin down the back of the sofa, as pain pills can be deadly if a pet finds them.

When acetaminophen, the active ingredient over-the-counter painkillers, is broken down after being swallowed it is known to cause liver failure.

Just of a single tablet can be deadly.

While cats and dogs are both in danger, felines are far more likely to suffer from the toxicity - so DON'T give them to pets to relieve pain.

Scoop up that loose change

 Keep your loose change in a piggie bank instead of your favourite animal's mouth
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Keep your loose change in a piggie bank instead of your favourite animal's mouthCredit: Amit Lennon

As well as the obvious danger of domestic animals swallowing coins that block airways, your pounds and pence carry an additional danger.

Some coins contain a large amount of zinc which, if they enter a pet's stomach, releases the chemical element into the bloodstream and can cause heart failure.

Occasionally coins will pass through your pet with no issues, but if you suspect they've swallowed a coin, call your vet and order an X-ray.

Pets should be kept free of charge

Batteries can lead to severe burns
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Batteries can lead to severe burnsCredit: Stewart Williams - The Sun

Batteries may be flogged by the Duracell bunny, but they are best kept away from your furry friends, as they can cause nasty burns.

Though all batteries pose a risk, the most dangerous are disc-shaped batteries commonly found in toys, watches and key fobs, as they can be more easily swallowed whole, potentially leading to chemical burns in the digestive tract.

If your pet does swallow a battery, rinse their mouth gently with water and call your vet straight away.



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