- VEG
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
The warmer weather of spring and summer often brings a wave of home improvement projects - organizing the garage, fixing a fence, painting a room, or tackling long-overdue repairs. And although these projects are fun and sometimes necessary for people, they can create unexpected workshop hazards for pets.
Even a short DIY project can turn a garage into a temporary danger zone. Knowing what risks to watch for - and when to seek emergency veterinary care - can help keep your pet safe.
Why garages, sheds, and workshops can be dangerous to pets
Most areas of a pet parent’s home are outfitted for their pet’s needs and safety. But garages, work sheds, and workshops often store items that aren’t designed with pets in mind. Garages, sheds, and workshops often contain small hardware, sharp tools, and toxic chemicals. Curious pets love to explore areas with their noses and mouths, increasing the risk of pet toxin exposure or swallowing something dangerous.
And it's natural to pets: dogs and cats naturally explore new environments by sniffing, licking, or chewing - so if a pet finds a dropped screw, spilled motor oil, or a fishing lure left on a workbench, they may investigate it before a pet parent even realizes something has fallen.
Because many of these dangers are small or temporary - like a few nails dropped during a repair—accidents can happen quickly.
Common garage and workshop hazards that send pets to the ER
Emergency veterinarians frequently treat pets who have swallowed hardware, stepped on sharp objects, or been exposed to chemicals stored in garages and workshops. These items are common in DIY projects but can cause serious injuries or poisoning if pets come into contact with them.
The most common garage hazards that lead to emergency vet visits:
Small hardware injuries
Small hardware is one of the most common risks in garages. Items such as nails, screws, bolts, nuts and washers can easily fall to the floor unnoticed during projects.
If a pet swallows a screw or a nail, the object can cause serious internal injuries or become lodged in the digestive tract. Sharp metal pieces can puncture the stomach or intestines, creating a life-threatening emergency. Even smooth objects like washers can cause dangerous intestinal blockages.
Fishing gear accidents
Fishing equipment stored in a garage like hooks, lures, and fishing line can be particularly hazardous to pets.
Hooks can become embedded in the mouth, throat, or stomach if swallowed. Fishing line may wrap around the tongue or intestines, leading to severe internal damage.
Pets are often attracted to lures because they resemble small animals or contain scents that spark curiosity.
Chemicals and toxic liquids
Many garages and workshops h23wcave chemical liquids around that can cause severe pet poisoning if ingested. Pets can be exposed to these chemicals by licking spills, stepping in liquid and grooming their paws, or chewing on contaminated objects.
Examples include:
Motor oil
Paint and paint thinners
Adhesives
Solvents
Is motor oil toxic to dogs?
Pet parents sometimes ask, “Is motor oil toxic to dogs?” The answer is yes - motor oil and other automotive fluids can irritate the digestive tract and may contain toxic compounds. Likewise, chemicals including antifreeze and rodenticides can be extremely dangerous and require immediate veterinary attention.
Puncture wounds and injuries from sharp or heavy tools
Tools stored in garages can also pose physical injury risks. Pets walking through a workspace may step on sharp objects or knock over tools while exploring.
Potential pet dangers include:
Utility knives or blades
Power tools
Sharp metal edges
Heavy tools on shelves
Signs your pet may have eaten something dangerous
Symptoms of exposure to toxins or swallowed foreign objects may appear quickly in your pet or they could take hours to develop.
Warning signs of toxic ingestion in pets
Abdominal pain
Restlessness
If a pet has swallowed a sharp object like a nail, screw, or hook, symptoms may not appear immediately. Internal injuries or blockages can develop gradually, making early veterinary evaluation important - so don’t wait! If you suspect your pet has swallowed something they shouldn’t, seek emergency veterinary help ASAP.
When to take your pet to the ER
You should seek emergency veterinary care immediately if:
Your pet ate a nail, screw, or hook
Your pet ingested chemicals such as motor oil, antifreeze, paint, or solvents
You suspect poisoning or toxin exposure
Signs of abdominal pain
Lethargy or unusual weakness
Foreign objects and toxic substances can cause serious complications if treatment is delayed. Emergency veterinarians are equipped to quickly evaluate these situations and provide life-saving care, so it’s always safest to go to your nearest VEG ER for Pets animal hospital immediately—even if symptoms haven’t yet appeared.
How to pet-proof your garage, shed, or workshop
A few simple precautions can dramatically reduce workshop hazards for pets, and give you peace of mind when you’re working on projects around the house.
Ways pet parents can improve garage safety:
Store nails, screws, and hardware in sealed containers
Clean up dropped hardware immediately
Keep chemicals tightly sealed and stored high
Close garage doors when not actively working
Keep pets away from active project areas
Check floors for sharp objects before letting pets enter
Even small DIY tasks and short project sessions can create temporary risks for your pet, so it’s best to treat active workspaces as pet-free zones whenever possible.
VEG ER For Pets is open 24/7 for vet emergencies
Tackling home improvement projects is a fun way to usher in the warmer weather of spring. However, it’s important to keep in mind the possible hazards you could be exposing your pet to around your garage and workshop areas.
If you think that your pet has gotten into something she shouldn’t have, contact VEG ER For Pets as soon as possible to get immediate help. If you suspect poisoning, you can also contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
