The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has issued its yearly alert to pet owners about the very real dangers of pet poisonings and to encourage veterinarians to educate the public on common household toxins and potential toxins.

Common Household Items and Plants
Each year, thousands of pets are accidentally poisoned -- sometimes with fatal results. Common foods, such as chocolate, onions, coffee grounds, even bread dough can be fatal to dogs when ingested. Additionally, there are many common household and landscaping plants that are also very toxic to pets.

Cats, because they can access countertops, tables, and windowsills, may be at greater risk for toxic plant ingestion, but dogs (especially puppies!) are certainly at risk for chewing and ingesting toxic plant material, too. Household items, such as cleaners, solvents, and automotive products such as antifreeze also pose a risk to both cats and dogs. Because cats can access the hard-to-reach areas of the home and garage and because dogs are very adept at chewing off lids that would normally keep the toxic substance contained, extra care must be taken to lock up all of these products.

Human Medications
Human medications are another source of pet poisoning -- either by intentionally giving pets human medications (trying to medicate a sick or injured pet) or by accidental ingestion by an unsupervised pet. Never give your pet a human medication unless under the direct recommendation and supervision of your veterinarian. Common human medications such as Tylenol® can be fatal to a cat.

Childproof caps are often not a problem for a dog! A lot of pill coatings and liquid medications are sweet. Like antifreeze, this can be enticing to pets. Never underestimate what your pet might find intriguing or interesting to eat. What can start out as a game -- chewing on a noisy pill bottle for the fun of it -- can end up as a poisoning.

Pet Medications and Over-the-counter Treatments
Even pet medications and topical treatments can be toxic when dosed incorrectly or used on the wrong species. For example, many flea treatments for dogs can be dangerous when used on cats. Over-the-counter dewormers are another potential source of toxicity. Different worms may require different dewormers. It is always best to bring a stool sample to your veterinarian first for proper identification of the worms that you are trying to rid your pet of.

Many times, owners are unsure of their pet's exact weight or think "more is better" when using over-the-counter medications or topical treatments. Senior pets may require less of a dose or topical treatment (i.e. flea dip) due to other existing medical conditions, weight loss, etc. Likewise, young animals may not be old enough to use a particular medication or topical treatment on. Always be sure to read labels and usage instructions carefully. Please call the product manufacturer or your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns. Better to be safe than sorry!

For more information about National Poison Prevention Week:
ASPCA - National Poison Prevention Alert

Pet Poison Hotlines (for pet owners and veterinarians):
Keep these websites and phone numbers handy!

Pet Poisoning and Toxicology Information:
Veterinary Q & A - Poisonings in Pets
Know what to look for.

Toxicology Links
Links to information on Antifreeze toxicity, chocolate toxicity, poisonous plants, and more.

Ten Tips for a Poison-Safe Household
Compiled by Jill A. Richardson, DVM, Veterinary Poison Information Specialist. From the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - Website has lots of toxicology bulletins and alerts for pet owners and veterinarians.

Text: Copyright © Janet Tobiassen Crosby. All rights reserved.

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