Pet owners have been warned to never let dogs near the bathroom – and no, it’s not just because they shouldn't be faced with the frankly horrific image of you sat on the loo.
We all know there are many hazards to animals that humans have to be aware of, from certain plants to cooked bones and chocolate.
Dragging a dog away from the remnants of someone’s Friday night fried chicken in the street is never an easy task, not least because they’ll never understand how those delicious-smelling cooked bones could splinter as they chew them.
But there are even things that may not have ever crossed our minds – as one vet previously explained, having urged people to keep their pets away from a few specific things and places.
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Speaking to Insider back in 2020, veterinarian Rachel Barrack shared a number of tips about what to avoid, including using any antibiotic ointment without a vet’s supervision.
"One of the ingredients in popular antibiotic ointments is neomycin, which has been linked to loss of hearing,” she said.
“Don't administer neomycin or antibiotic ointment topically to your dog without first consulting your veterinarian."
Barrack also said it’s wise to keep dogs out of the bathroom, explaining how all dogs – especially larger breeds – should be kept away, no matter how curious they are.
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"Toilet bowls do not contain clean water that is appropriate for your dog or cat to consume,” she said.
"Keep the lid down so your large-breed dog cannot access the bowl.”
As well as the dirty water, many bathrooms also contain harsh chemicals and personal care products, which may be toxic to dogs.
As such, you’re best off just keeping the bathroom door closed and simply ignoring your pet’s whimpering if they start clawing at the door.
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Barrack then went on to say it’s best to keep dogs away from alcohol, too.
While it may not be the end of the world if they lick a small drop of beer that’s spilt on the floor, they can suffer severe side effects from consuming alcohol.
Many drink mixers also contain artificial sweetener xylitol, which can be toxic to animals even in small amounts.
"Pets should never be given alcohol,” she said, explaining this ‘depresses the nervous system', which can lead to symptoms including hypothermia, diarrhea and vomiting.
Jess Hardiman