As pet parents, we often go to great lengths to ensure the health and safety of our beloved companions. However, there are hidden dangers lurking in our homes and surroundings that can pose serious threats to our furry best friends. That’s why National Poison Prevention Awareness Month for pets serves as a crucial reminder to educate ourselves about potential hazards and take proactive steps to safeguard our pets.
How do we do that? Let’s take a look.
Identifying Common Pet Poisons:
Many items that are harmless to humans can be toxic to pets. It’s essential for pet parents to be aware of these potential dangers:
Household Chemicals
Problem: Cleaning products, such as bleach, ammonia, and toilet bowl cleaners, can be highly toxic to pets if ingested. Even if inhaled or walked on like floor cleaner, can be a health hazard over time. Similarly, antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is lethal to animals even in small amounts.
Solution: opt for natural cleaners that are not toxic to pets, children or you. Look at labels and avoid products with ammonia, phthalates, chlorine, bleach, 2-Butoxyethanol, triclosan, sodium dioxide, acetone, formaldehyde…the list goes on. Google household cleaning product ingredients to avoid for a complete list and you can refer to Environmental Working Group, a wonderful watchdog group to protect us (and our pets by association) from companies and products that are harmful.
Human Medications
Problem: Over-the-counter and prescription medications, including pain relievers, antidepressants, and vitamins, can be harmful to pets if ingested.
Solution: Keep all medications securely stored and out of reach of curious pets. Remember, cats cat jump and climb up into high places and some dogs counter surf. Those types of places are not safe. Inside high cabinets and drawers mean safer pets.
Plants
Problem: Many common household plants, such as lilies, azaleas, and tulips, are toxic to pets if ingested. Even seemingly harmless plants like aloe vera can cause gastrointestinal upset in pets.
Solution: Please do your research before buying plants for your home or garden. It’s just not worth the price if your pet accidentally gets into a toxic one.
Foods
Problem: Certain foods that are safe for humans can be poisonous to pets. Chocolate, grapes, onions, xylitol (a sweetener often found in sugar-free gum and candy), and caffeine are just a few examples of foods that can be toxic to dogs and cats.
You may read on Dr. Google that garlic and avocado are dangerous to dogs and cats. Garlic is very toxic to cats; keep away. But to dogs, garlic is very healthy. It is a great anti-microbial, a heart health food, an immune system booster and a great, natural way to ward off biting insects, something you’ll be addressing now that spring is around the corner. Organic, raw garlic, finely chopped and added to food is a great way to avoid the pesticides in flea and tick medication and still get the job done. Consult this article for dosing: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/garlic-for-dogs-poison-or-medicine/
Solution: Keep those foods that ARE poisonous to your pets away from them. Even small doses of those foods are not good. No need to avoid avocado or garlic for dogs; not for cats. No need to avoid nuts for dogs, EXCEPT macadamia nuts. Those are toxic to dogs. No nuts for cats.
Taking Preventative Measures
Prevention is key when it comes to protecting our pets from accidental poisoning.
Here are some additional proactive steps pet parents can take:
Emergency Preparedness: Have the contact information for your veterinarian, the nearest emergency veterinary clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) readily available in case of emergencies.
At-Home First Aid for Pet Poisoning:
In the event of suspected poisoning, every second counts. While immediate veterinary care is essential, there are some steps pet parents can take at home while transporting their pet to the vet or emergency room:
Contact a Professional: Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline immediately for guidance on what to do next.
Gather Information: If possible, gather any packaging or containers of the suspected poison to provide to the veterinarian for identification.
Do Not Induce Vomiting: Contrary to popular belief, inducing vomiting in pets can sometimes do more harm than good. Always consult with a professional before attempting to induce vomiting at home.
Keep Calm: Stay calm to avoid further stressing your pet. Keep them comfortable during transportation to the veterinary clinic.
You can refer to this article for additional things you can do when your pet is poisoned.
National Poison Prevention Awareness Month for Pets serves as a reminder of the importance of pet safety and the proactive steps pet parents can take to prevent accidental poisoning. By being vigilant, pet-proofing our homes, and knowing what to do in case of an emergency, we can help keep our furry friends happy and healthy for years to come.
To their best health ever!
Jody
Jody L. Teiche
Certified Health Coach
People & Pets
About the author:
Jody L. Teiche is a Certified Health Coach for People and Pets. She coaches her clients to learn effective, natural ways to address conditions and general health concerns in their pets and themselves. She also focuses on how to understand and work more effectively from a mindset and energy perspective to positively affect health goals for her human and animal clients.
