Protecting Your Pet From Household Toxins

Every year, thousands of pets are taken to their local vet across the country because they ingested regular household items that are poisonous to them. With Poison Prevention Week coming up, we want to take a few moments to highlights some of the toxins that could hurt your precious four-legged family member. 

HOUSEHOLD POISONS WARNING

Every year many dogs and cats suffer or die from accidental ingestion of everyday household items.
Ordinary home items that are toxic for pets include potpourri oils, mothballs, homemade modeling dough, batteries, and pennies.

Cleaning products, such as fabric softener sheets and dishwashing detergent, are dangerous for animals.
Alcoholic drinks, coffee grounds, chocolate, sugar-free gum and treats sweetened with xylitol, and cigarettes, are all hazardous, too.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines like painkillers, cold medicines, anti-depressants, vitamins and diet pills can be lethal in small doses.

CAT ASPIRIN TOXICITY

Although your veterinarian may sometimes recommend aspirin for what ails your pet, please know that it can be very toxic for cats.

The wrong dose or accidental ingestion of aspirin or aspirin products can cause serious gastrointestinal, neurological, respiratory and bleeding problems.

Cats cannot metabolize aspirin as quickly as dogs so they are more susceptible to the effects. And young pets are more sensitive to aspirin toxicity than adult animals.
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Always keep aspirin products away from pets and never administer aspirin to pets, unless instructed to by your veterinarian.

POISONOUS PLANTS WARNING

Many beautiful flowers and plants in our homes, yards and gardens are very dangerous for our pets.
If ingested, azaleas, oleander, sago palms and yew plants can be fatal to dogs and cats. Many types of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.

Cocoa mulch in the garden contains theobromine, the same chemical in chocolate that is toxic to dogs and can be deadly when ingested even in small quantities.

Poinsettias, apple seeds, buttercups, English ivy and about 700 other plants are identified as having varying degrees of toxicity for pets. Fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides and other pest control poisons can also cause severe illness.

OTHER DOG AND CAT POISONS

In addition to the items listed above, other things that can prove poisonous for dogs and cats can include chocolate, vitamins and minerals such as Iron and Vitamin D3, caffeine pills, glow sticks, and mouse and rat poison among others. 

If you suspect that your pet has ingested any of these items or other questionable substances, call the Pet Poison hotline or your veterinarian for assistance right away. Make sure you let them know the information from the container, package or label. Acting quickly could save the life of your pet. 

If you are in Cypress, TX, give our animal hospital a call at 281-970-0601 to get your dog or cat in right away.