Everyday Things that can Poison you Dog
Our Pets, Our Family
Many poisonous substances can harm your beloved pets. As pet owners, we must protect our pets from dangers around the home. Did you realize that your home is filled with dangers that can harm or even kill your pets?
Every year the Animal Control Center at the ASPCA receives over 116,000 calls in response to their cat or dog coming in contact with a hazardous substance.
As our pets are family members, we must ensure they are safe outdoors and in our homes. Pets can be mischievous, and we must keep one step ahead to ensure they do not get into things that will cause them medical problems or death.
Many household hangers lurking in our home and garage can pose a danger to our family pets.
Poisonous Substances
Chocolate and Dogs
Chocolate contains methylxanthines which can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death. This is particularly true with dogs. Never give chocolate to your dog, even just a little if he begs for it.
Prescription Drugs
Make sure to keep all prescription drugs out of the reach of your pets. After you take your medication, put it back in a safe place. Just one extra strength of acetaminophen can be deadly to a cat, and four ibuprofen can cause severe kidney problems in a small dog.
Fertilizer
If you are a gardening buff, you need to be aware that some fertilizers can cause problems for your pet, especially if they are indoor/outdoor. In 2008 over 2,000 calls came to Animal Poison Control for this one thing. To prevent this from happening, find out which fertilizer is poisonous to cats and dogs, and if you have it in your home, remove it to an out-of-reach place from your pets.
Pica
Some pets have pica, a medical disorder that causes a desire to eat non-nutritive objects, like feces, buttons, needles, dirt, rock, etc. If your pet is prone to a pica, screen your home, just as you would for a small child just learning to crawl or a toddler. Get down on your hands and knees and see from their vantage point the thing
Other Substances that can Make your Dog Sick
- Sugarless gum or candies that contain xylitol. Artificial sweeteners can cause a dog's blood sugar to drop. Even small amounts can cause liver damage.
- One of the most toxic are raisins and grapes. These foods can cause kidney failure.
- Over-the-counter medications that contain NSAIDs, like Advil, Aleve, and Motrin, can cause ulcers and possible kidney failure.
- Human drugs like Celexa, Effexor, Prozac, etc., can cause neurological problems.
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Emergency Situations
In the event that your cat or dog, ingest something that is harmful, have the telephone number to t he ASPCA, animal poison control and you veterinarian in a handy place, in case your pet has a medical emergency.
Pet Insurance
Purchasing Pet Insurance is not a bad idea. Especially if you have puppies, kittens, older or inside/outside pets. It is not that expensive and it will give you peace of mind to know that if your cat or dog gets sick or has an accident that you can take them to the veterinarian without worrying about whether or not you have the money.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2009 Pamela Lipscomb
