National Pet Poison Prevention Month

March is National Pet Poison Prevention Month. Many pet owners may think it’s easy to keep hazardous substances away from pets, but accidental spills, dropped pills, and even beautiful bouquets can spell disaster for dogs and cats if they’re consumed. With that being said, read the following list to become educated on some of the most commonly consumed pet toxins.

1. Medications, Prescription & Non-Prescription:

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are the most common group of toxicants pets typically ingest. They include vitamins, OTC pain medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen), herbal supplements, antihistamines, marijuana, and cold and flu medications. Ingestion of OTC medications is typically accidental, so it’s important to share the dangers of these common household items with your clients or new adopters.

2. Human Foods:

Unsafe human food consumption accounts for another large portion of our animal poison cases here at the hospital. Foods that can be extremely detrimental to your pet's health include: xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic make up most of these cases.

3. Chocolate:

Chocolate consumption in pets, and health problems following, has become one of our most common reasons for pet toxin visits as well. The popularity of chocolate gifts for occasions like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter adds to the danger.

4. Veterinary products:

Flavored medications and misread labels are a big reason pets run into trouble with veterinary products. Make sure you fully understand how you should give medication—and always remember that childproof does not mean pet-proof when it comes to containers.

5. Rodenticides:

Manufacturers of rat poisons make them tasty to attract the rats. But pets find them tasty, too. We have seen a large influx of patients who have become extremely ill after consuming rat poison.

6. Household Items:

Pets can easily get to household items like paint, glue and cleaning products, some of which are poisonous. The pandemic has doubled the calls about cleaning-product poisonings as people use bleach, alcohol and other products to combat the virus.

7. Plants:

Many indoor and outdoor plants are dangerous for pets.6 You may think of aloe as a healing plant, but it’s toxic to dogs and cats. And the lilies in your Easter bouquet can cause kidney failure in cats.

Now that you know a little bit more about common pet toxins, you can better protect your pet. For more info tune in with us weekly on facebook, instagram, or TikTok to watch our information videos on the topic.