Keep Your Pet Safe

I remember the day I got Hailey, I think I looked up every possible thing a dog should avoid. At the time I lived with a roommate who was very careless about what fell on the floor when cooking, etc. One day I found onions and I freaked. Luckily, I found them before Hailey did. The ASPCA lists the following as the top 10 pet poisons.


1. Human Medications
"Last year, the ASPCA managed 45,816 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements."

2. Insecticides
"One of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program. "

3. People Food
People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can seriously disable our furry friends..." One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures."

4. Plants
"Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts."

5. Veterinary Medications
"Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents."

6. Rodenticides
"Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets as well."

7. Household Cleaners
Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants." "These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract."

8. Heavy Metals
"Heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury...." "Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded."

9. Garden Products
"It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer and garden products can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs." "Fertilizer exposure, which can cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction."

10. Chemical Hazards
"A category on the rise, chemical hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns."

Another piece of advice, is to always keep the Animal Poison Control Center’s number on hand, (888) 426-4435, along with your vet and local 24 Hour Vet Facility. If you would like more information about the top 10, please visit the ASPCA's article at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.html