Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The 10 Best Cat Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

The 10 Best Cat Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

{headline}

{headline}

4 ingenious Ikea hacks for pets

4 ingenious Ikea hacks for pets

How to pick the perfect cat for you

How to pick the perfect cat for you

How you can eat unlimited dumplings in the company of koalas next week

How you can eat unlimited dumplings in the company of koalas next week

{headline}

{headline}

Women sleep better with their dog beside them

Women sleep better with their dog beside them

What your pet’s sleeping position says about their personality

What your pet’s sleeping position says about their personality

Research finds cat people are smarter than dog people

Research finds cat people are smarter than dog people

Research finds chickens prefer ‘pretty’ humans

Research finds chickens prefer ‘pretty’ humans

The most popular dog names predicted for 2020

The most popular dog names predicted for 2020

Best places to see turtles nesting and hatching this year

Best places to see turtles nesting and hatching this year

You can now buy a custom felted portrait of your pet online

You can now buy a custom felted portrait of your pet online

  1. Home
  2. Pets

The common household item that’s poisoning your cat

Your pet could be at risk, without you even knowing it. - by Laura Barry
  • 02 Jul 2019
The common household item that’s poisoning your cat

Although domestic dogs and cats have lived with humans for centuries, it’s only been the last few decades where our four-legged friends have gone from being ‘the family pet’ to spoiled ‘fur-babies’. As a result, there are now thousands of pets living the high life indoors, spending their days sleeping on snuggly couches, being dressed in the latest pet couture and being treated to pamper sessions at the local pet salon. Unfortunately, we humans forget that many of our common household items are actually poisonous to animals.

As it turns out, the latest and greatest trend in ‘wellness’ home décor for - the Himalayan Salt Lamp – could be poisoning your dog or cat without you even knowing it.

Cat owner Maddie Smith from New Zealand recently shared a story on Facebook about her cat Ruby, who suddenly became ill then deteriorated rapidly in just 12 hours.  

“We woke up on Wednesday morning to our darling Ruby walking really strangely and had her head in an odd position as she walked. We initially thought this was just because she was so cold so we got her nice and toasty and left for work as usual.”

“Wednesday afternoon Clayton arrived home from work and she had deteriorated dramatically so we rushed her to the vets. The vets were extremely concerned for her and could see she definitely had neurological problems because she simply could not walk properly, could not hear or see, couldn’t even eat or drink properly because she couldn’t function her tongue the best. Her basic senses and abilities GONE in 12 hours. She was so helpless,” Maddie wrote on Facebook.

salt lamp
Getty

As it turns out, poor Ruby had extremely high sodium levels in her blood, an indicator of salt poisoning, which can be life-threatening for dogs and cats. Maddie revealed that the family has a Himalayan Salt Lamp in their living room, and that Ruby had been regularly licking the lamp – resulting in the salt poisoning.

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, salt poisoning can occur in dogs and cats at moderate to life-threatening levels and symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy, incoordination, excessive thirst or urination, tremors, seizures, and coma. The site advises contacting your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet might be suffering from salt poisoning.

Luckily, Ruby the cat got treatment in time and is set to make a full recovery.

If you have things such as pot pants, salt lamps or ornaments made from other organic matter, it’s important to check that these things don’t pose a risk to your pet if ingested. And as Ruby’s story proves, even the most innocuous of household items could be the culprit of illness.  

You might also like:

5 common garden essentials that put your pet's health at risk

Pet-friendly decoration tips 

6 air-purifying indoor plants that are safe for pets 

  • News
  • Pets
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The 10 Best Cat Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

The 10 Best Cat Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

{headline}

{headline}

4 ingenious Ikea hacks for pets

4 ingenious Ikea hacks for pets

How to pick the perfect cat for you

How to pick the perfect cat for you

How you can eat unlimited dumplings in the company of koalas next week

How you can eat unlimited dumplings in the company of koalas next week

{headline}

{headline}

Women sleep better with their dog beside them

Women sleep better with their dog beside them

What your pet’s sleeping position says about their personality

What your pet’s sleeping position says about their personality

Research finds cat people are smarter than dog people

Research finds cat people are smarter than dog people

Research finds chickens prefer ‘pretty’ humans

Research finds chickens prefer ‘pretty’ humans

The most popular dog names predicted for 2020

The most popular dog names predicted for 2020

Best places to see turtles nesting and hatching this year

Best places to see turtles nesting and hatching this year

You can now buy a custom felted portrait of your pet online

You can now buy a custom felted portrait of your pet online

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!