Toxic and Non-Toxic Household Items for Pet Owners

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Below are toxic and non-toxic household items that pet owners should know about. We want our furry friends to live in a safe, healthy, and happy environment.

Did you know that many things that are harmless to humans can be toxic to dogs and cats? There are likely items in your home that could harm your pets. Certain items may look innocuous but can be dangerous—or even fatal—to pets.

But many everyday household items—some we’d never suspect—can either support your pet’s well-being or pose serious risks. Knowing the difference between pet-safe and pet-toxic items is essential for protecting your cats, dogs, or other indoor companions.

Why Indoor Pet Safety Matters

Indoor pets spend most, if not all, of their lives within our homes. Unlike outdoor pets, they don’t have the option to walk away from hazards.

From cleaning supplies to houseplants, pets may come into contact with harmful substances daily. Identifying what’s safe and what’s toxic ensures your home stays both cozy and secure for your pets.

Your cleaning cabinet may contain substances that are toxic to pets. Bleach, ammonia, chlorine, and formaldehyde are commonly found in household cleaners. They can cause chemical burns, anemia, and neurological damage if pets are exposed to them.

Always store these products securely and use them cautiously, ensuring your pets are kept away while you clean and until surfaces are safe to touch.

Batteries, Cords, and Small Objects:

Pets may chew or swallow these, leading to choking or poisoning.

• Electrical cords: Can cause burns or electrocution if chewed.
• Small objects: Items such as coins, rubber bands, and batteries can pose choking hazards or cause internal blockages.

Toxic Medications:

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are particularly dangerous, as are any prescription drugs. These can cause a range of issues from gastrointestinal ulcers to liver damage and seizures.

• Acetaminophen (fatal to cats)
• Antidepressants
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
• Medicine intended for people or another pet, unless directed by your veterinarian
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for people or another pet

It’s best to keep all medication and tobacco products away from pets.

Cosmetics:

Lip Gloss and Lipstick: The ingestion of lip gloss and lipstick can cause stomach upset. Some products, especially moisturizers, contain ingredients that may cause diarrhea, such as shea butter. Ensure that your pet did not eat any plastic or packaging. This can cause a foreign body obstruction in the stomach or intestines and can be a medical emergency.

Foundation, Mascara, Blush, Eye Shadow: These cosmetic products are generally safe if pets ingest them, causing only mild stomach upset. However, any ingested packaging can pose a risk of a foreign-body obstruction in the stomach or intestines and may be a medical emergency.

Moisturizing Lotions: A small ingestion of non-medicated moisturizing lotion (such as licking lotion off of a person’s skin) is only likely to cause mild stomach upset. However, larger ingestions can cause more severe stomach upset. If your pet vomits, there is a risk that the lotion may be inhaled into the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia, which can be serious.

Petroleum Jelly: Petroleum Jelly is a laxative, and any ingestion can cause stomach upset. If your pet vomits, petroleum jelly may be inhaled into the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia, which can be serious.

Bar Soap: Dogs especially love to eat bar soap, so it’s best to keep it out of reach at all times. However, if they do ingest some, it typically causes only a mild stomach upset. If they vomit, bubbles sometimes come out of their noses, which can be disconcerting and may cause them to sneeze slightly, but severe signs are not expected.

Toothpaste: Toothpaste can contain fluoride or xylitol. In most cases, there is not enough fluoride ingested to see significant signs. Still, if a large amount is ingested, fluoride can cause severe stomach upset, irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, and life-threatening electrolyte changes.

Household Cleaners & Laundry Products:

Most household cleaners, carpet shampoos, and toilet cleaning tablets are toxic to pets.

In mild cases of ingestion, drooling or stomach upset might occur. Laundry pods, on the other hand, can be deadly to pets. If a pet has bitten into a laundry pod or licked laundry pod detergent off of fur or the floor, signs can range from vomiting and coughing to difficulty breathing or wheezing.

If your pet has been exposed to a laundry pod, it is crucial to flush the mouth, fur, and eyes with copious amounts of water until the slick, soapy feeling is flushed away. Then call your veterinarian immediately.

Most laundry dryer sheets, especially unused ones, contain cationic detergents. These detergents can cause severe chemical burns and ulcers to the pet’s mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Additionally, the sheets can pose a risk of a foreign-body obstruction in the stomach or intestines and may require medical intervention.

Most fabric softeners also contain cationic detergents, which can cause severe chemical burns and ulcers to the pet’s mouth, esophagus, and stomach.

Foods & Beverages That Are Dangerous For Pets:

Certain foods and beverages you consume without a second thought can be highly toxic to your pets. Chocolate, for example, contains theobromine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in dogs and cats.

Similarly, caffeine in coffee and tea can be harmful, causing restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors.

• Alcoholic drinks and food products containing alcohol
• Avocado (only mildly toxic to dogs and cats, but can be severely toxic, even deadly, to birds, rabbits, horses, and ruminants such as cattle, goats, and sheep)
• Caffeine (found in a lot of drinks such as coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks)
• Chocolate
• Fatty foods
• Garlic
• Grapes and raisins
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions
• Salt
• Xylitol (a sweetener found in products such as some sugar-free chewing gum, sugar-free candy, cough syrup, mouthwash, and toothpaste)
• Yeast products (like raw bread dough)

Fruit Pits:

Fruit pits are toxic to pets because they contain cyanide compounds that can be deadly if the pit is chewed or crushed.

Pits from fruits like peaches, cherries, plums, apricots, and nectarines are hazardous. In addition to toxicity, pits are also a physical hazard, posing a risk of choking or an intestinal blockage.

Medication & Tobacco Products:

• Marijuana
• Medicine intended for people or another pet, unless directed by your veterinarian
• Tobacco products (including e-cigarettes and their refills)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. The common pain reliever acetaminophen is fatal to cats.

Dangerous Food Bags:

While not edible themselves, food bags, especially the Mylar-type potato chip bags, cereal bags, and snack bags, can be a danger for pets. Dogs are typically more likely than cats to sniff out food bags.

These bags are thin enough that if your dog puts his head far enough into one and breathes in, the bag can wrap around his nose and mouth, suffocating him.

Non-Edible Dangers:

Pets, especially dogs, will often eat non-edible items. Some non-edible items in your house or yard that may be dangerous for your pet include:

• Antifreeze
• Cocoa mulch
• Ice melting products
• Insecticides and pesticides (even flea and tick products for dogs can be dangerous, or possibly life-threatening, if used on cats or other animals. Therefore, don’t swap them!)
• Lawn fertilizers and weed killers
• Liquid potpourri
• Mothballs
• Paints and solvents
• Rat and mouse bait
• Salt-dough Christmas tree ornaments and play-dough
• Swimming pool chemicals
• Various household cleaners (including bleach and toilet bowl cleaners)

Are Essential Oils Harmful to Pets?

In their concentrated form (100%), essential oils can be dangerous to pets. Dogs and cats that have walked through oil, gotten some on their coats, or had oil applied directly to them can develop health concerns.

Due to variability in concentration, formulation, and potential quality of essential oils, it’s best to avoid applying them directly to your pet. You should also keep any oils up and out of paws’ reach to prevent potential ingestion.

If your pet has a history of breathing problems, it may be best to avoid using one altogether. Keep in mind that your pets have a much better sense of smell than we do, so something that seems light to us may be overwhelming to them.   

Carpet Cleaners:

Ensure the carpet shampoo is formulated with non-toxic, pet-friendly ingredients. Harsh chemicals can harm pets.

Act Quickly:

If you think your pet has eaten something potentially dangerous, call your veterinarian or a pet poison control center right away.

• Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661, http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435, www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

When to Take Your Pet to the Emergency Clinic:

If your pet starts showing signs and symptoms of poisoning, it’s an emergency. Do not delay in seeking professional help. Time is of the essence, and prompt treatment can significantly improve the chances of recovery.

Safe House Plants for Cats & Dogs:

Tips for Creating a Pet-Safe Indoor Space:

1. Research Before Buying – Check if plants, cleaners, or décor items are safe for pets.
2. Use childproof latches – cleaning supplies and medications out of reach.
3. Opt for Pet-Safe Alternatives – Replace toxic cleaners with natural ones and choose safe toys.
4. Provide Supervision – Watch pets around new items or furniture.
5. Know Emergency Contacts – Save the ASPCA Poison Control number in case of accidental exposure.

Pet Safe Household Items:

These items are generally safe for pets when used correctly:

• Stainless Steel Food and Water Bowls – Durable, easy to clean, and non-toxic.
• Pet-Safe Houseplants – Spider plants, Boston ferns, and areca palms bring greenery indoors without harming pets.
• Natural Fiber Rugs and Toys – Cotton or hemp materials are safer than synthetic, chemical-laden options.
• Unscented Cleaning Products – Vinegar and baking soda are excellent pet-friendly cleaners.

Final Thoughts:

Keeping pets safe indoors is about more than love—it’s about awareness. By learning which items are pet-safe and which are toxic, you can create a healthy, worry-free environment where your pets thrive.

Small changes, such as replacing toxic plants with pet-friendly ones or choosing safer cleaning products, can make a big difference. You might consider natural cleaners like vinegar or baking soda.

Vinegar and baking soda are generally safe for cleaning around pets, but use caution to prevent ingestion or skin irritation.

ASPCA Toxic & Non-Toxic Plants