Pet Health: Avoid Pet Poisoning

PET HEALTH By Dr. Scot Trefz, DVM

Avoid Pet Poisoning

Pets are naturally curious creatures. Many can’t resist toppling trash cans or rooting through back yards searching for tasty treats. Keeping your pet safe from poisonous or toxic food or chemicals can be as simple as following these steps.

Secure Medication

Even over-the-counter medications can cause serious health issues for kids and pets. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can cause kidney or liver failure in cats and dogs. The Pet Poison Helpline gets many calls from pet owners regarding antidepressant ingestion, which can cause tremors, seizures, lethargy, and incoordination in animals.

Keep These 5 Foods Away

  • Onions and Garlic-fresh, dried or powdered onions, garlic, leek, scallions, chives or shallots can damage your pet’s red blood cells, affecting their ability to transport oxygen.
  • Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine that are toxic to pets. Dark and baking chocolate have the highest levels of theobromine.
  • Grapes and Raisins – These snacks can cause kidney failure and death in pets.
  • Caffeine- Coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks aren’t safe for pets and may cause vomiting, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure or death. Teabags, loose tea, coffee grounds, and coffee beans are particularly dangerous.
  • Sugar-free foods containing Xylitol, a sugar alcohol used to flavor sugar-free gums, mints, toothpaste, vitamins, baked goods, and other products, can be deadly to pets. 

Choose Safe Plants 

Even a small bite of a plant can cause illness or death. Before buying indoor plants or adding to your landscape, make sure it won’t harm your pet. The Pet Poison Helpline lists these 10 as the most poisonous to pets:

  • Autumn Crocus
  • Azalea
  • Cyclamen
  • Kalanchoe
  • Some Varieties of Lilies
  • Oleander
  • Dieffenbachia
  • Daffodils
  • Hyacinths
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Sago Palm
  • Tulips

Use Pet-Safe Antifreeze

Pets like the sweet taste of antifreeze but even the smallest amount can cause death. Pet-safe antifreeze is a better solution. Ethylene glycol is the deadly ingredient in antifreeze and can also be found in ink (pen and printer ink), snow globes, eye masks and some types of paints.

Safe Storage

Cleaners and other HH products including laundry detergent pods, pest control, cleaning products, skincare items, sunscreen, ointments, fertilizers, paints and stains can sicken your pet. Keep all products (even if labeled natural) in a secure cabinet.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian (or after-hours emergency veterinarian) right away if your pet consumes a toxic or poisonous substance. Unfortunately, pets don’t always consume “stuff” in your presence. If your pet develops any of these signs and symptoms, poisoning may have occurred. Time is of the essence.

  • Collapse
  • Muscle Tremors
  • Pale Gums
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble Breathing
  • Racing Heartbeat
  • Excessive Thirst
  • Frequent Urination
  • Weakness
  • Seizures

Dr. Scot Trefz D.V.M, Medical Director
Bay Moorings Animal Hospital | 727-867-011
83695 50th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
baymooringsanimalhospital.com
facebook.com/baymooringsanimal hospitaldrtrefz

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