
Pet Poison Prevention: How to Protect Your Pet
March is Poison Prevention Month! Many of us are aware of some obvious household items are hazardous to our pets’ health: bleach, anti-freeze, etc. But while some items are clearly not meant to be ingested by our furry friends, others in the home are not so obvious. The good news: poisonous accidents can be prevented. Compare the following list with items in your home, and make sure any culprits are safely out of reach from your four-legged family members:
We're all a little guilty of occasionally giving our begging pets some food off our plates, but steer clear of sharing things like:
Any product that contains nicotine, a rapid acting toxin, is severely poisonous to dogs and cats. Be on high alert for these, as they are often kept in purses, cars, or other areas that our curious pets might gain access to without our knowledge. DEET, an active ingredient found in most mosquito repellent products for people, has been known to cause neurological problems in animals. Your veterinarian should prescribe monthly heartworm medication, which usually comes in the form of a tasty treat and protects your pet from the effects of mosquitoes. Please keep in mind that this list is certainly not exhaustive. If you ever have questions about something your pet has come in contact with, give your veterinarian a call. Which of these items did you know were potentially dangerous, and which were you aware of? Don’t forget to share your newfound knowledge over on our Facebook page! Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline
PLANTS
Many common household flowers and plants are surprisingly toxic to dogs and cats. The bulbs of some plants are particularly poisonous, but best practice is to keep the below plants (and many more) out of reach of nibbly pets. If your pet has an affinity for grazing on greens, be more safe than sorry: keep the below plants at a safe distance:
- Tuplis
- Oleander
- Daffodils
- Lilies
- Azaleas
- Lilacs
- Geraniums
- Poppies
- Daisies
- Amaryllis
- Holly
"PEOPLE FOODS"
We're all a little guilty of occasionally giving our begging pets some food off our plates, but steer clear of sharing things like:
- Gum
- Alcohol
- Nuts like macadameia, pecans, almonds, and walnuts
- Avocado
- Cocoa
- Caffeine
- Grapes and raisins
- Yeast dough
- Garlic, chives, and onion
- Salt
- Citrus
Household Products
Yard Protection Any product containing organophosphates and large amounts of iron can lead to seizures, vomiting, bloody stool, liver and heart issues. These are products like:- Fertilizers
- Weed killers
- Pest control products

- Bleach
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Oven cleaner
- Carpet freshening powders and shampoos
- Grill cleaner
- Fabric softener sheets
- Detergent
- Vinegar
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Mosquito repellent
- Petroleum jelly
- Cigarettes
- Tobacco
- E-cigarettes
- Nicotine patches
