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10 little-known pet health hazards

These flowers may be beautiful, but if your pet ingests them, they can cause health problems including nausea and even death. If you have these plants in your home, remove them or keep them out of your pets’ reach. To see more potentially harmful flowers, type “poisonous plants” into the search box at hsus.org.

• Azalea plant
• Buttercup (the leaves are especially toxic)
• Daffodil bulbs
• Day lily (toxic to cats)
• Easter lily (toxic to cats)
• Hyacinth bulbs
• Iris leaves and roots
• Narcissus bulbs
• Rhubarb leaves
• Wisteria pods and seeds

Source: Humane Society of the United States

Protect your pet from Lyme disease

Keep your pet safe―check its skin and fur for ticks after it has been outside, especially if you live in a woodsy area where the bugs thrive.

Ticks are a big threat to pets―they can carry Lyme disease. If they transmit the illness to your animal, they could suffer flu-like symptoms, joint damage and heart and kidney problems. If you find one of these bugs on your cat or dog, remove it immediately by following these steps:

1. Use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers so you don't have to touch the tick with your hands (it could carry diseases).

2. Grab the tick with the tweezers where it has entered the skin (near its head or mouth).

3. Pull out the tick firmly. Do not twist the tick as you are pulling.

4. Put the tick in a jar of alcohol―this will kill it.

5. Clean the animal's wound with a disinfectant.

6. Wash your hands thoroughly.

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