Hello everybody
While writing another article on medicines for suggies and other pets (which i will be posting up when finished), i ended up writing this little peice about dangers in the home. Some people are probably aware of most if not all of these, but it's always list to have a reminder, especially if you're getting suggies and want to know how to fully make your house safe (or "glider proof" it). If I've missed anything out, please let me know!
I made this small text with all pets in mind.
Household Dangers.ALL cleaning products, from bleach and ammonia to the detergent you put in with your washing. Anything you can think of to clean your kitchen, toilet, bathroom, furniture, clothes or “air” such as Febreze and other sprays/ aerosols to neutralize or cover odours. It doesn't matter if they contain natural ingredients or not and if they are concentrated they pose more of a risk if ingested.
Of course, any and every human medicine should be considered harmful to your pets, regardless if they've been given it before by a vet, and even things like human strength vitamins can cause a problem.
Something I feel I should strongly mention is artificial sugar. Many people use them now as a sweetener in their tea or for cooking. These have been advertised to be safe for human diabetics but are NOT safe for ANY type of animal. Please keep any sweets, food or chewing gum that is “sugar free”, artificially sweetened or containing alcohol based sugars like xylitol and sorbitol away from your animals. I cannot stress this enough, in as little as 15 minutes it can cause severe hypoglycaemia, which is when blood sugar levels get so low that it can cause seizures, coma and death.
There are other foods that are toxic to pets as well. Ones to avoid for gliders that I know of are avocado, grapes, raisins, rhubarb, onion, garlic, certain seeds of fruits (like apple, pear and papaya). Mustard seeds are also toxic to animals, as are the pits of cherries and apricots. Interestingly the leaves and stems of tomatoes and potatoes are also listed as toxic to animals. Some nuts are more dangerous than others, noticeably macadamia nuts and walnuts due to their high content of toxins. Any beverage containing caffeine, alcohol or high levels or taurine can be harmful as well as yeast dough or hops.
Be careful of water that could potentially drown. There is the infamous toilet bowel that can kill suggies and small furries, but it's also wise to check to see if you've got any glasses of water lying around forgotten, or any water in your sink or in your bath. Even a tiny amount could be a problem, you never know what nasties it's harbouring.
Harmful plants and trees. Many people know that not all plants and trees are safe for humans or pets, but it can be difficult to know which ones are. The most comprehensive list I've found is here:
http://www.moondance-sugargliders.com/sugar_glider_plant-tree_information.htm This includes plants that are toxic to humans as well.
In regards to sockets and electrical equipment try and “baby proof” them. Keep wires all tied together, hidden away, and any unused sockets turned off and covered. Gas appliances should be monitored as should all heating appliances.
Items with a non stick coating should be monitored as well as these can emit harmful fumes when overheated. This can be on frying pans, hair straighteners, hair dryers, irons, and on toastie and waffle makers. They are only dangerous when overheated, but it is something to watch out for if you straighten your hair or iron in the same area as your pets as it is very easy to leave them on or set them too high so they overheat.
Things like ceiling fans and air vents can be a problem if your pet gets stuck in them, or worse, injured while they are on.
Last but not least, who can forget cigarette smoke? It is toxic, dangerous and cancerous to humans and is even more so to your animal! The chemicals and gases released in the smoke are of main concern, these can cling on the surfaces and hang in the air, so be aware of that if you do smoke. Please, never smoke around any pet, and try to smoke outside or in a room they do not frequent.
If you are going to let out a pet where any of these may be (like the bathroom with bleach for instance) it would be best to move it to another room or keep it locked up in a in a secure place that small animals CANNOT get into or try your best to reduce the risk, whatever it may be. There are potential risks like other pets, doors, windows to think of as well, that is up to the discretion of the owner. Some people are happy to let other animals play with their suggies, i wouldn't suggest leaving them unattended though. I have a sign on my door when the little ones are out so people know to knock and be extra careful if they have to come in so my gliders don't get caught underneath.
