Poison Prevention Tips For Your Cat & Dog

• Posted on 13 March 2021
• By Staff Blogger: Dalila Kettrey
• Posted in cat, Common Dog & Cat Health Issues, dog, Dog & Cat Wellness
• 0

There are many hazardous materials in and around our homes that we may not think would be a danger to our pets. 
Learn about three key products to take care of when your pet is around.

Just like with humans, especially kids we need to be careful and watch out for our four-legged children when it comes to poison prevention. Have you dog or cat-proofed your home? Many pet parents forget that dogs and cats can get into things just as much as toddlers! There are many hazardous materials (chemical, food & plant) in and around our homes that we may not think would be a danger to them. March 21-27 is National Poison Prevention Week and a great opportunity to share a few items that could be hazardous to your dog or cat. Three key products to be careful with your pet are: 

1. Chemical Hazards

• Antidepressants may cause neurological symptoms
• NSAID’s (Advil, Aleve, Motrin) may cause intestinal ulcers and possible kidney failure
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may liver failure
• Amphetamines ( ADD medications) may cause seizures and heart problems
• Insecticides and Rodenticides
• Organophosphates - common in lawn and garden products
• Mouse & rat poison - also, a caught mouse or rat that has ingested the poison is a potential risk to our pets
• Household Cleaners
• Rust & calcium/lime removers
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Fertilizers
• Certain organic fertilizers- bone meal, blood meals, iron-based products - pancreatitis or intestinal blockages

2. Human Foods

• Alcohol
• Chocolate 
• Grapes & Raisins
• Macadamia Nuts
• Xylitol
• Pits & Seeds from Fruits

3. Indoor & Outdoor Plants

• Azalea, 
• Oleander 
• Castor bean 
• Sago palm 
• Easter Lily 
• Yew Plant material 

If you have any of these foods, plants, or chemicals in your home be sure to store them in a secured area where your pet can not access them. 

8 Common Signs Of Pet Poisoning 

Now that we know of common household items that could be poisonous to our pets, it’s also important to know what symptoms to look for in case any hazardous matter is ever ingested by your dog or cat. Below are symptoms to look out for in the event you feel your pet has ingested something poisonous. 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Excessive drooling
• Pale gums
• Racing heartbeat
• Blood in the stool

What To Do If Your Cat Or Dog Is Showing Signs Of Poisoning

A situation may present itself in which your pet may have only ingested a very small amount of a potential toxin or poison. There are many ways you can be prepared at home with natural solutions and supplements. 

• One of our favorites is Activated Charcoal. Activated charcoal absorbs irritants in the digestive tract so if the ingestion took place within a few hours this would be ideal to use. 
• Another effective supplement is Bentonite Clay which naturally soaks up toxins. This product could be used at any time related to toxic ingestion. It can grab onto toxins and allow the body to move them through the digestive system. 
• If you know your pet ingested a foreign object, inducing vomit by the way of hydrogen peroxide might be beneficial. This could avoid damaging the digestive tract or exploratory surgery at your vet’s office. Dosing on all of these remedies would depend on the size of your dog or cat. 

There are many natural alternatives to helping your pet should they ingest something hazardous, however, it is important to note that every situation is different and calls for different solutions. Be sure to never administer human medication to your pet unless directed by your veterinarian. If your dog or cat shows any indication of serious health problems please be sure to contact your local or emergency veterinarian immediately.