Things You Shouldn't Buy for Your Pet

By Sophie Kininmonth · 2 Dec 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·6 min read

Plenty of everyday pet purchases are helpful, but a handful can quietly put your animal in danger. Some are foods that are perfectly fine for people and toxic to dogs and cats. Others are toys that fall apart, pest treatments used on the wrong species, or gadgets that add a battery and a chewing hazard without solving a real problem. The good news is that most of these mistakes are easy to avoid once you know the pattern. This guide walks through what not to buy or feed, with quick checks that keep shopping simple.

Harmful foods and treats

Many common human foods are safe for people and quietly dangerous for pets. Dogs are the most frequent casualties, though cats and other companion animals can be affected too, sometimes in different ways.

Chocolate and caffeinated foods

Chocolate contains theobromine and often caffeine. Dogs metabolise these slowly, so even small amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset, agitation, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases death.¹

Onion and garlic, including powders

Onion, garlic, and related plants in the allium family can damage red blood cells and lead to anaemia. Powdered forms are especially easy to overdo because they are concentrated and hidden in sausages, sauces, gravies, and savoury treats.²

Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants

Grapes and dried vine fruits can trigger acute kidney injury in some dogs, and there is no reliable safe dose. Treat any ingestion as urgent.²

Xylitol, a sweetener in some sugar-free products

Xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs and may also lead to liver failure. It turns up in some chewing gum, toothpastes, baked goods, and certain peanut butters, so check the label before using peanut butter as a treat.³

Raw pet mince and some raw-meat products

Raw feeding is a bigger topic than a shopping list, but one point holds steady: raw pet food can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria, which may sicken pets and can spread through the household via hands, bowls, benches, floors, and faeces. If you do choose raw options, handle them like high-risk raw meat and ask your vet what is appropriate for your pet and your home, especially if you have children, older adults, pregnancy, or anyone immunocompromised.⁴

Unsafe toys and accessories

Pet toys are not regulated the same way as children's toys, so quality varies wildly. The hazards are familiar: choking, gut blockages, mouth injuries, and strings that saw into tissue or wrap around limbs.

Small parts, weak seams, and anything that shreds

A toy that cracks, splinters, or quickly breaks into smaller pieces is a swallowing risk. Think in terms of what your pet can tear off in a quiet ten minutes, not what the packaging promises.

Avoid glued-on eyes, tiny squeakers, bells, and brittle plastic parts that can detach.
Skip ropes and tassels if your pet is a committed chewer or swallower, since strands can be swallowed and cause serious intestinal injury.
Choose sturdy construction, tight stitching, and materials that do not splinter.

Button batteries and strong magnets

Some pet toys and gadgets contain button batteries or magnets. If swallowed, these can cause catastrophic internal injury. Australian consumer safety warnings about button batteries and small magnets are written for children's products, but the hazard is the same if a pet can reach the component.⁵

Cheap and poor-quality pet food

Price does not always map neatly to quality, but the cheapest foods can cut corners in ways that matter over months: poor digestibility, unbalanced nutrients, and vague labelling that makes it hard to know what you are actually feeding.

What to look for instead

A good baseline is a complete and balanced diet suited to your pet's life stage (puppy or kitten, adult, senior) and health needs. If you are comparing brands, look for clear ingredient lists, feeding guides that match your pet's size and age, and a company that provides nutritional adequacy information and quality control details.

Harmful chemicals and misused pest treatments

The word chemical is not automatically bad, since many safe, effective veterinary products are chemical treatments. The problems tend to come from misuse, unregistered products, mixing treatments, or applying a dog product to a cat.

Flea and tick products used incorrectly

Always buy products intended for your pet's species and weight range, and follow the label exactly. Cats are particularly vulnerable to certain dog-only spot-on products, including some containing permethrin. If you are unsure, ask your vet before you buy rather than after you have applied it.⁶

Shampoos, sprays and natural concentrates

Essential oils and concentrated plant extracts can irritate skin and airways, and some are toxic if licked during grooming. The word natural on a label does not guarantee pet-safe. If the ingredient list is vague or the directions do not mention species, age, or weight, leave it on the shelf.

Medications and supplements without veterinary guidance

Pets are small-bodied, fast-metabolising, and sometimes dangerously sensitive to common human medicines. A well-meaning supplement can also interact with prescription medications or worsen an underlying condition. Only use medicines and supplements that:

are clearly intended for your pet's species, size, and age, and
fit your vet's plan for your pet, especially for pain relief, anxiety products, and joint or calming supplements.

Overpriced grooming supplies, clothing and gadgets

Most pets do well with a small, dependable grooming kit. The rest is often scent, packaging, and a promise to solve a problem your pet does not have. A sensible basic kit for most dogs and cats covers:

A brush or comb suited to coat type
Nail clippers, or a grinder if your pet tolerates it
A mild pet shampoo used only when needed
Ear and dental products only if your vet recommends them for your pet

Clothing is a similar story. Some animals tolerate outfits well, while others freeze, overheat, or panic. Poorly fitted costumes can rub the skin, restrict gait, and interfere with normal body language.

Avoid tight armholes, stiff seams, heavy fabric, and anything that presses on the throat or chest.
Choose breathable materials and a fit that allows a full stride and easy toileting.
Supervise the first few wears and remove the outfit immediately if your pet cannot move naturally or starts chewing at it.

Gadgets deserve the same scrutiny. Automatic feeders, remote toys, and health trackers can be useful in the right home, but they are not neutral. A faulty dispenser can overfeed, an anxious pet may fixate on an unpredictable moving toy, and some devices are simply another chewable object with a battery inside. Prioritise secure battery compartments, chew-resistant housings, and a clear purpose. If it does not solve a real problem in your household, it is often clutter with a power cord.

Quick safety checks before you buy

Read the whole label, especially small print on treats, natural products, and pest treatments.
Assume your pet will chew it, and avoid anything that can splinter, shred, or break into swallowable pieces.
Match products to species and weight, particularly flea and tick treatments.
When in doubt, ring your vet. If a toxin exposure is suspected, seek urgent advice rather than waiting for symptoms.^{1, 2, 3}

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.