Whether you are traveling or stationary, it is important to restrict your dog’s access to some substances. You must be extra careful to watch out for certain things when you are away from home and you are not as familiar with your surroundings. Taking the proper precautions will ensure you and your dog a fun, healthy vacation.

Avoid most human medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, antidepressants or other pharmaceuticals. Dogs have different body chemistry, and your pet can prescribe appropriate medicine for your dog if need be. Make sure your dog does not ingest an organophosphates (OP), carbamate or chlorinated hyrdocarbon (CIHC), which are commonly found in flea and tick collars.

Be careful your dog does not ingest bleach. Even licking some can make it sick. Bleach can burn your dog’s esophagus and stomach lining once in its system. Do not try to induce vomiting if this happens, but give your dog a good deal of milk and water to help the bleach dilute.

Make sure your dog does not ingest caffeine or chocolate. You may induce vomiting on your dog, but it may need further medical treatment. These substances contain methlxanthine alkaloids, and your dog lacks necessary enzymes to break these down, and the substance will continue to accumulate hazardous chemicals if your dog continues to eat chocolate or caffine. Dogs generally won’t get sick the first time they eat chocolate, as it is cumulative, but you should try to avoid letting your dog access it at all times. They will often break out in vomiting or diarrhea two to fours hours after eating chocolate or caffeine. Try to get your dog to a vet afterwards.

Try to avoid giving your dog onions and garlic, as they give dogs anemia. When you are cooking, try not to drop any of these common ingredients on the floor, as some dogs are quick to eat them up. Zinc is hazardous to dogs, which is found in nuts, bolts and pennies. It may need to get surgery if it swallows these.

Rat poison is also dangerous, even in small doses. If your dog eats rat poison, try to induce vomiting and then give it activated charcoal to soak up the toxins within fifteen minutes. Then take her to the vet. Sometimes your dog will ingest poison and look fine for one to three days, and then show signs of poison by bleeding out of its orifices, in which you MUST seek immediate care.

Click here for a list of other hazardous substances.