The hazards facing our four-legged friends can lurk even within the walls of the home, in a well-tended garden, on a terrace, or in a garage used to store motorbikes and cars. The curiosity of an inexperienced kitten, the clumsy boldness of a newly arrived puppy, but also the accidental mishap involving the household dog or cat — perhaps bored with daily life and eager to try something different — can cause problems of varying severity for our animals.

On this subject, Dr Oscar Grazioli, veterinarian, journalist and blogger, has written a hugely important book: I no che aiutano i nostri animali, a useful vademecum to keep close at hand if you want to protect your four-legged friend from dangers hidden within the home. From onions that are toxic to cats, chocolate that is lethal to dogs, poisonous plants and potentially deadly liquids stored in garages, one can venture into a world that is in some respects still unknown, yet which it is important to master in order to keep our friends safe from risks and accidents.

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Poisoning, a deadly danger

It can happen, and it is not even an isolated occurrence. Especially if you live in the countryside, or have a house with a garden and an outbuilding, poisoning can be a danger to your four-legged companions. But, first of all, how can you tell whether a dog or cat has been poisoned? "Among the wide range of substances that are poisonous to animals, we find above all those used in former hunting reserves or in restocking areas to kill so-called 'vermin' (that is, foxes, stone martens, weasels, corvids and certain types of birds of prey) that could harm game species such as hares or pheasants; these are poisons based on agricultural insecticides or molluscicides," explains Dr Grazioli. "Symptoms include tremors, salivation, loss of balance and convulsions." Poisoning by such substances tends to affect dogs more than cats: "Felines, in fact, by virtue of their 'fussiness', are less susceptible to these dangers," Grazioli adds.

On the subject of poisons, warfarin features prominently: "It is an old-generation rodenticide, now replaced by more aggressive and dangerous substances, which are certainly lethal if not removed from the body with the appropriate antidotes," the expert clarifies. If poisoning is suspected, therefore, consulting a vet is truly essential and urgent. "While waiting, we can act by administering hydrogen peroxide, which induces vomiting and can save a life if there is strong reason to believe the dog has just eaten bait contaminated with poison. It is a good idea to carry a bottle with you if you go walking in places far from veterinary facilities," Grazioli concludes.

Poisons can also lurk inside the home and pose a threat to our animal friends. "The most dangerous by far is ethylene glycol, also known as Paraflu, used (much more so in the past than now) as antifreeze for radiators and heating systems. It should always be kept in a locked cupboard. Watch out also for fly, cockroach and bug poisons and so on, which have a high degree of toxicity for our four-legged friends," the expert stresses. As for chocolate and cocoa-based products, considered lethal for dogs, they would need to be consumed in large quantities to prove toxic and harmful to their health.

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Hidden dangers in the garden or on the terrace

The home garden, terrace or balcony can also conceal dangers and hazards for dogs and cats — plants being the most prominent, as animals might ingest them out of play or boredom. "The oleander, for example, can be lethal regardless of which part of the plant is ingested. The same goes for the azalea, common in gardens and homes and equally dangerous. Let us not overlook the cyclamen, milkweed (the so-called budgie plant) and lily of the valley," warns Oscar Grazioli.

But danger can also come from the sky, in the form of insects. "Bees and hornets can cause problems with their stings, as can the notorious processionary caterpillar, which dogs — but not cats — are quite keen to chase," the vet explains.

Domestic hazards for adventurous puppies and cats

A puppy that has just arrived home can run into a series of dangers that may put its health at risk. "It is normal for puppies to tend to chew on various things while teething, but in reality only rodents that can 'gnaw' through electrical cables are in real danger," states Dr Grazioli. Care is therefore needed if you have a dwarf rabbit at home that may go about doing exactly that unchecked.

But stairs, especially spiral ones, also represent a potential threat to a puppy that might fall or get caught. Close attention to its movements is therefore essential: if it has to be left alone, it is always advisable to use domestic playpens — similar to those used for children — or rooms in which it can play without falling victim to tumbles or other mishaps.

"Watch out too for washing machines and open ovens, which kittens love to hide in," warns Oscar Grazioli. And among the home's risk zones, terraces and balconies without barriers can prove dangerous for an adventurous young cat, perhaps new to the environment and in search of novelty or hunting grounds to explore. Keeping a close eye on it in the early days of its stay in the home can be one way to ward off dangers. Likewise, fitting the outdoor space with nets or protective barriers will be an excellent solution for doubling up on precautions and ensuring peace of mind — for both the cat and for us.