Common Pet Poisons: How To Keep Your Pets Safe

March 20, 2023March 20, 2023
by ruthmacpete

March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month. Every year, thousands of pets are accidentally poisoned by common household products, foods, and plants. Here are some of the most common household hazards:

1. Human medications.

According to ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, 50% of their calls are related to the accidental consumption of human medications. Dogs, in particular puppies, will chew pill vials because they rattle like a pet toy, and may eat the pills. Some common medications that can be harmful to our pets include heart medications, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and opioids. Even medications that are “safe” can be toxic if an entire vial is consumed. In addition to prescription medications, over the counter (OTC) medications can be just as deadly. Sometimes well-meaning pet parents will give their pets an OTC medication assuming it is safe because it is available without a prescription. Unfortunately, OTC medications can be deadly to our pets, even in small doses. For example, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is highly toxic to cats and a dose as small as half a pill can be lethal.

2. Food.

Most people know that chocolate is toxic to pets, yet chocolate-toxicity is one of the most common pet poisonings. Unfortunately, pets love chocolate almost as much as we do, so it is important to always keep chocolate out of our pet’s reach. Other common toxic foods include grapes and sweets containing xylitol. Grapes is toxic to dogs and even small amounts can cause kidney failure. Xylitol is found in sugar-free sweets and gums and is also toxic to pets.

3. Household cleaners.

Pet-proof your home and keep household cleaners out of reach. Also remember to keep your pets away whenever using a cleaner on your counters or floors. Pets, especially cats, may accidentally ingest a harmful cleaner when they lick their paws.

4. Rodenticides.

Rodenticides (rodent poisons) are extremely dangerous to our pets as they are designed to attract and kill rodents. Unfortunately, they attract our pets as much as their intended targets, and they can be just as deadly to our pets. Rodenticides often contain anticoagulants, like warfarin, which causes internal bleeding. Other common rodenticides contain equally toxic ingredients such as bromethalin (damages the central nervous system), cholecalciferol (kidney damage), and zinc phosphide (damages the heart, brain, kidney, and liver).

5. Plants.

Many plants are toxic to our pets. Unfortunately, pets will often chew plants and ingest plants. Lilies are especially common during Easter and are highly toxic to cats. Every part of the plant (flowers, leaves, stems, and even pollen) is extremely toxic to cats. Before bringing home a household plant or bouquet, or planting a new plant in the yard, I always recommend checking to make sure that the plant is not poisonous to your pets.

6. Garden products.

Fertilizers can also be toxic to our pets. Ironically, environmentally-friendly organic fertilizers can be more dangerous than conventional fertilizers. Organic fertilizers often contain bone meal and feather meal, which attracts our pets. As a result, dogs will often consume large amounts of organic fertilizers. Bone meal can also contain bone fragments that can cause gastrointestinal obstructions.

Remember this list is not comprehensive. These are just some common household pet hazards. To learn more, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website. Keep these household hazards safely out of reach. However, if you think your pet may have ingested something harmful, call your veterinarian, the local emergency veterinary hospital or the ASPCA Poison Control immediately. The sooner you treat a poisoning, the safer it is for your pet and the less expensive it will likely be for you.

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Holiday Pet Hazards

December 13, 2018October 21, 2020
by ruthmacpete

Singing Christmas carols, lighting the Menorah, visiting Grandma…going to the vet? Probably not your idea of a holiday event, but unfortunately many families find themselves visiting their veterinary clinics during the holiday season for unfortunate and preventable emergencies. While the holidays are festive times, they can also be very dangerous times for our pets. Each year thousands of pets are seriously injured during the holidays; intestinal obstructions, chocolate toxicity, burns, and pancreatitis are a few of the most common reasons pets need medical attention during the month of December. In order to ensure that your nights are filled with visions of sugarplums, rather than long waits in a veterinary emergency room, keep these things in mind:

Holiday Decorations
Pets are inquisitive by nature and their curiosity can get them in trouble. While a Christmas tree adorned with glistening ornaments and lights may be a feast for our eyes, we would never think of putting one of those shining ornaments in our mouths. However, our pets see these twinkling objects as new toys beckoning to be examined, played with, and even eaten. Shattered glass ornaments are razor sharp and can injure pets and their people. We know ornaments can choke animals but unfortunately many of us don’t realize that linear objects, like tinsel, string, yarn, and ribbons, are also quite dangerous. Not only can pets become entangled but, if ingested, linear objects can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages unless they are promptly removed surgically. This is especially common with kittens and puppies.

Candles
Little paws can do more than break fragile glass ornaments; they can also knock over candles. Tipped candles can burn your pet or even worse lead to household fires.

Plants
If you have pets, avoid lilies, ivy, holly, mistletoe, Christmas greens, and poinsettias. These traditional holiday plants, if eaten, can cause symptoms as mild as vomiting and diarrhea or as serious as kidney failure leading to death. Lilies in particular are highly toxic to cats and chewing on leaves, flowers or any part of these plants can be deadly so I recommend keeping all lilies out of the house if you have cats!

Food
Holiday food can have serious consequences for pets. Animals should never have access to chocolate or alcohol. Bones, except for those specially treated and intended for canine consumption, should also be avoided. Poultry bones can splinter and get lodged in the gastrointestinal tract. Ham and beef bones can break teeth or cause intestinal obstructions. Though tempting, and always appealing to dogs, you should avoid giving your pet leftovers or tastes of your own food, especially during the holidays. Not only can this lead to obesity and encourage annoying begging, it can cause a pancreatitis attack. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas usually caused by fatty foods like turkey, ham, gravy, and chicken skins. It is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated.

Remember these important tips during the holidays. Watch out for choking and obstruction hazards. Avoid pet-toxic plants or, at least, be sure to keep them out of reach of your pets. Don’t give animals chocolate, alcohol, or bones to your pets. And instead of giving your pet scraps from your holiday meal, buy your pet a pet-safe treat, a new toy, or a new outfit. Paying careful attention to these warnings will help keep the holidays happy for you and your pet and should prevent unscheduled visits to the vet.

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Common Pet Poisons: How To Keep Your Pets Safe

Holiday Pet Hazards