Raising Awareness To Prevent Pet Poisoning

The entire month March honors the importance of Pet Poison Awareness and, because of the topic’s importance, March 15 – 21 is Pet Poison Prevention Week. We treat many pets accidentally exposed to toxic household items or ingredients and strive to encourage preventive measures to protect the pets we all love. Below is a review that aims to help you prevent or manage a pet poisoning.

Just a Taste…

Seeing as pets are prone to getting in trouble with their mouths, it’s important to understand which people foods wreak the most havoc. Pet parents often realize too late that certain edible items from the following list are dangerous for curious pets:

• Alcohol
• Products sweetened with Xylitol
• Chocolate
• Bread dough
• Avocado
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions and onion powder
• Fatty foods
• Raisins or grapes
• Garlic
• Salt
• Moldy or rotten food
• Coffee

Unfortunately, many toxic plants may look pretty around the home; but, if eaten by your pet, can cause major gastrointestinal upset, or worse. Consider replacing toxic plants with pet-friendly alternatives, when and wherever possible.

Outside Areas

Your pet may not spend a great deal of time in the backyard or garage, but you should still secure supplies or items that can endanger him or her. The following list is meant to get you started; you may find other things that could become a problem and should be secured properly.

• 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

What Else May Be Lurking

To cut back on pet poisoning potential, please use caution around medications and other household items. You may think that your pet wouldn’t be interested in tasting some of the following items, but let’s eliminate any inclination he or she might have by storing these appropriately:

• Cold medications
• Painkillers
• Antidepressants
• Any drugs treating cancer
• Vitamins
• Diet pills
• Batteries
• Electric cords
• Bleach
• Fabric softener
• Mothballs
• Liquid potpourri
• Pennies made after 1982 due to their high zinc content

What To Do In A Pet Poisoning Emergency

Knowing how to prevent an emergency is important, but also having the skills and supplies necessary to treat a pet poisoning could save your pet’s life. If you know what your pet got into, set the packaging aside, if any, and look for any of these warning signs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Refusal to eat
• Pale gums
• Accelerated heart rate
• Coughing of blood
• Weakness or lethargy
• Collapse
• Excessive thirst
• Decreased urination

Let Us Know

While some pet poisonings resolve by themselves, symptoms can appear anywhere between 4 to 24 hours, and should be noted carefully. Call us immediately if you think (or can ascertain) that your pet was poisoned. Time is of the essence and we may be able to treat, or save, your precious pet.