The Clear View: The Truth About Pet Poisonings

The common combination of a pet’s insatiable curiosity, paired with relatively easy access to forbidden toxic chemicals or ingredients, can create dangerous situations – and devastating outcomes.

The frequency of pet poisonings is high enough to warrant not only an entire month dedicated to raising awareness, but March 15-21 receives national distinction as Pet Poison Prevention Week. As a result, we strive to shed light on the dangers and preventive measures for pet owners to best protect their pets.

Is It Safe?

Certain household items or foods may not come across as particularly threatening to your pet, especially if he or she doesn’t seem that interested. However, the bottom line is to simply not give your pet the opportunity to innocently sniff or sample anything that can get him or her in trouble.

Do not offer or leave to chance any of the following human foods to be accidentally ingested:

Alcohol

Any products sweetened with Xylitol (vitamins to baked goods)

Chocolate

Coffee

Bread dough

Avocado

Macadamia nuts

Onions and onion powder

Fatty foods

Raisins or grapes

Garlic

Salt

Moldy or rotten food

A Household Sweep

One of the most common culprits of pet poisonings are toxic plants. There are scads of pet-safe house plants and landscaping greenery that can add softer layers to your space without endangering your pet.

But lillies and sago palms aren’t the only household items to be aware of. Just like that time your puppy raided your 5-year old’s Halloween candy, pets just have a knack for getting into stuff you really don’t want them to. Because of this, please be mindful with the storage of the following household items, medications, or supplies:

Cold medications

Painkillers

Antidepressants

Any drugs treating cancer

Vitamins

Diet pills

Bleach

Fabric softener

Mothballs

Batteries

Electric cords

Liquid potpourri

Pennies (especially those made after 1982, due to their high zinc content)

Pet Poisonings Outside the Home

Even if your pet does not frequent the area outside your home, it’s a great preventive measure to keep any outdoor supplies off the ground and in a secure cabinet. Your property may require you to keep certain toxic chemicals on hand, such as any of the following:

Fertilizer

Antifreeze

Pest control products, such as fly, snail, or slug bait or flea treatments

Rat or mouse bait

Pool treatment supplies

Citronella candles

Cocoa mulch

Conversely, should your pet be allowed to prowl around the neighborhood, be aware of the warning signs that your pet consumed something poisonous while out and about.

Red Flag Signs of Pet Poisoning

you should call us immediately if you suspect your pet was poisoned. Diagnostics and results from our lab can help to illuminate the effects of a poisoning, but time is of the essence if something toxic has been consumed. Depending on the poison, your pet’s size and breed, and how long he or she has been exposed, any of these symptoms are possible:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Nausea

Refusal to eat

Pale gums

Accelerated heart rate

Coughing of blood

Weakness or lethargy

Collapse

Excessive thirst

Decreased urination

Be Prepared!

It’s best to have what you need and not use it, and this is especially true in the case of first aid know-how. We encourage you to also put together supplies that will support your pet if he or she is poisoned or hurt. Keep our number in your kit. We are here for your pet every day, and in the case of a pet poisoning, each passing minute counts.