Eighty-percent of cat owners say prices related to pet ownership – including things like veterinary care, food and accessories – have risen over the last year, and 31% feel these prices have risen significantly, according to a pet parent survey from MetLife Pet Insurance. One-quarter of the surveyed cat parents said they feel anxious about the financial strains that can come from pet ownership.

One of the simplest ways to manage pet care costs is to prevent health problems and accidents before they happen. Doing a thorough sweep of your home for common items that can be harmful or toxic to your furry friends can go a long way in risk prevention.

According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), the top ten toxins for pets are:

• Over-the-counter medications
• Prescription medications for humans
• Certain human foods, including garlic, grapes, onions, raisins and foods containing the sweetener xylitol
• Chocolate
• Bouquets and plants
• Household toxicants, like cleaning and beauty products
• Veterinary products, such as calming chews, which can be dangerous if too many are consumed
• Rodenticide
• Insecticide
• Garden products

Pet insurance is also becoming more popular among pet owners as a way to protect their families from the sky-high bills that can come along with an animal medical mishap. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association estimates around 4.41 million pets were insured at the end of 2021, which is an increase of almost 28% from 2020.