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PET POISON PREVENTION TIPS




CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE A FREE BROCHURE
ABOUT PET SAFETY AND POISONOUS PLANTS



The following are some guidelines for dog and cat owners to follow to help make their homes poison safe.



Flea Products and your Pets


AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS

Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze
should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. Propylene glycol is a safer form of antifreeze. Sierra brand antifreeze contains propylene glycol and is recommended to use in pet households.

As little as one teaspoon of the more toxic form of antifreeze, ethylene glycol, can be deadly to a cat;
less than one tablespoon can be lethal to a 20 pound dog.





FLEA PRODUCTS


Before buying a flea product, consult your veterinarian,
especially when treating sick, debilitated or pregnant pets.
Read all of the information on the label
before using a product on your pet or in your home.

Always follow the directions
If a product is for use only on dogs,
it should never be used on cats.

Make sure your companion animals do not enter areas
in which insecticidal foggers or house sprays have been applied
for the period of time indicated on the label.

Contact your veterinarian or the manufacturer
to clarify product usage, if needed.






Images of Poisonous Plants

PLANTS


Be aware of the plants you have in your home and yard.
The ingestion of azalea, oleander, castor bean, sago palm,
Easter lily or yew plant material by an animal can be fatal.


CLEANING AGENTS


Never allow your pets to have access to the areas
in which cleaning agents are being used or stored.

Cleaning agents have a variety of properties;
some may only cause mild stomach upset,
but others can cause severe burns
of the tongue, mouth and stomach.







PESTICIDES


When using rat, mouse, snail or slug baits, or ant or roach traps,
place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals.

Most baits contain ingredients that can attract your pets.








MISUSING MEDICATIONS


Never give your companion animals medication
unless you are directed to do so by a veterinarian.

Many medications that are safe for humans
can be deadly for animals.

For example, one extra strength (500mg) acetaminophen
tablet could be fatal to a cat.







MEDICATIONS



Keep all drugs out of your pets' reach,
preferably in closed cabinets.

Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs,
antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples
of human medications that can be lethal to animals,
even in small doses.

For example, one 200mg ibuprofen tablet could
cause stomach ulcers in a small dog,
and as few as 6 could cause kidney failure.









FOOD HAZARDS


Onions, onion powder
Chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk, dark)
Alcoholic beverages
Yeast dough
Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
Tea (caffeine)
Salt
Macadamia nuts
Hops (used in home beer brewing)
Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
Rhubarb leaves
Avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats)
Cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco
Moldy foods






HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

Many common household items can be lethal to animals.
Mothballs, potpourri oils, coffee grounds,
homemade play dough, fabric softener sheets, dishwashing detergent,
batteries, cigarettes, alcoholic drinks and hand and foot warmers are potentially toxic.






GARDEN PRODUCTS


Make sure your pets do not go on lawns or in gardens treated
with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides until they have dried completely.

Always store such products in areas that are inaccessible
to your companion animals.

Contact the manufacturer for information
concerning product usage around your pets.






ALWAYS BE PREPARED !!!


Your animal may become poisoned in spite of your best efforts to prevent it.

Because of this, you should be prepared.

You should keep the telephone numbers for the veterinarian,
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center,
and a local emergency veterinary service in a convenient location.

To receive a free ASPCA/NAPCC hotline magnet, Click here.





MAKE YOUR PET's HOME POISON SAFE






Winter Holiday Hazards for Pets


POISON PREVENTION LINKS

ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center
Plants and your Cats
Flea Products and your Cats



Photo credits: Photographs by Tom Schaefges and Harriett Weatherford - Sidney, Illinois