Many Indian pet owners believe their apartments are safe havens, free from speeding cars, street dogs, and monsoon infections. However, a leading veterinary surgeon from Mumbai warns that the most significant threats to our furry companions are often lurking quietly within our own homes.
Invisible Threats in the Air and Water
Indoor air quality is a major concern for pets living in flats. Common practices like lighting incense for prayers, burning mosquito coils, or using room diffusers release particulate matter into the air. Dogs and cats breathe this in at floor level, where heavier particles settle. Cats face an added risk because they groom themselves meticulously, ingesting any pollutants that land on their fur.
Veterinary soft tissue surgeon Nameeta Nadkarni has observed healthy pets develop chronic coughing or recurrent vomiting. Their condition often improves simply by moving incense to the balcony and switching from open coils to sealed mosquito machines placed out of reach. Her practical rule is to keep all smoke or vapour sources away from the room where your pet sleeps and ensure good ventilation. Similar precautions are needed during pest control treatments to prevent pets from inhaling or walking through chemical residues.
Water quality is another silent hazard. Many apartments rely on water from overhead tanks that travels through ageing pipes. Pets who drink tap water that tastes metallic or odd may reduce their intake, leading to dehydration. Hard water can also irritate the urinary tract. Offering filtered, RO, or UV-purified water can prevent recurring stomach upsets.
Everyday Household Hazards
Cleaning agents pose a significant yet overlooked danger. Floors are mopped frequently, and pets with wet paws pick up residues left on tiles. Phenyl-based cleaners, bleach, and strong floral solutions can irritate skin and stomachs. Dr. Nadkarni has traced many vague "off and on" vomiting episodes in pets back to floor cleaners. The solution is to dilute products properly and switch to fragrance-free, pet-friendly alternatives. Always ensure the floor is completely dry before letting your pet walk on it.
Balconies in high-rise buildings represent one of the biggest physical risks. Dr. Nadkarni has treated cats that survived falls from the sixth or seventh floor, suffering fractured jaws, ruptured organs, and severe shock. Contrary to popular myth, cats do not always right themselves during a fall. A sudden noise or the sight of a pigeon can startle them straight off the ledge. The simplest and most effective solution is to install secure netting or grills.
Preventable Emergencies: From Wires to Medicines
Electrical hazards often go unnoticed. Loose wires, plugged-in chargers, or frayed cables are irresistible to puppies and curious cats. While electric shocks are rare, oral burns can occur even with low-voltage cables.
Medication left unattended is a common cause of emergency visits. Dr. Nadkarni recalls one critical case involving a Labrador who ate an entire strip of ibuprofen left on a bedside table. Ibuprofen is highly toxic to dogs and can cause catastrophic kidney failure. The dog survived only because its family reached the hospital quickly. All human medications must be kept inside closed cabinets, never in handbags, slightly open drawers, or on table tops.
Kitchens contain their own set of dangers:
- Overheated non-stick pans release fumes that irritate pet airways.
- Hot oil splatters and boiling water spills are constant risks in compact cooking spaces where pets often sit underfoot.
- Food toxicity is a serious issue. Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol-containing items, and chocolate are all dangerous for pets.
Even decorative indoor plants can be deceptively toxic. Apartment favourites like peace lilies, pothos, and philodendrons are poisonous when chewed. Cats may nibble plants out of boredom, and dogs sometimes dig in pots.
Noise is a cumulative stressor for pets. Anxiety from constant noise can make them jumpier, clingier, or withdrawn without an obvious reason. Creating a quiet safe room with curtains and a comfortable bed can help. During festivals or building repairs, always provide your pet with a refuge away from the sound.
The key to pet-proofing your Indian apartment, according to Dr. Nadkarni, is to look at your flat from the eye level of your pet. A truly safe home for your furry family member is created by intention and awareness of these hidden indoor dangers.
