Safety Tips for Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month
March is National Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month, and the entire month is dedicated to educating pet parents about all the things that can be poisonous for pets with the hope of preventing accidental ingestions and emergency situations from happening.
Household Items That Are Toxic to Pets
1. Foods
Many of the foods people love are toxic and dangerous for dogs and cats. Some of the most common include:
- Garlic and onions (and other foods from this family)
- Chocolate
- Xylitol (sugar-free sweetener)
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Avocados
- Raisins and grapes
- Certain nuts
- High-fat foods
As a best-practice, never offer your pet table scraps or human food. It’s safest to feed your pet only food and treats that are actually formulated for dogs or cats.
2. Medications and Supplements
Several prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and nutritional supplements are toxic to pets. This includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, cold medications, and more. The accidental ingestion of just one pill could put your pet’s health and life at risk. Always keep all of your medications stored safely in a place that is well out of the reach of your pet.
3. Cleaning Agents
Household cleaners, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals that we use around the house and in the garage are dangerous for pets. Store them in a high place and ensure their lids are always securely fastened.
4. Plants
There are too many plants that are toxic to pets to list them all here. The most common include lilies, daffodils, tulips, ivy, mistletoe, poinsettia, lantana and philodendrons. Keep toxic plants well away from pets or avoid growing them altogether. If you have cats or cats living in your neighborhood, don’t plant lilies; all parts of plants belonging to the lily family are extremely toxic to felines.
5. Toiletries and Bathroom Items
Shampoo, conditioner, potpourri, bath salts, bubble bath, dental floss, toothpaste, and other bathroom-based products are toxic to pets. Don’t let your pet drink your bath water or get into any of your products.
6. Essential Oils
While some essential oils are safe to diffuse and use around your pets in small quantities, others are toxic to cats and dogs. Some toxic oils include:
- Tea tree (melaleuca)
- Wintergreen
- Peppermint
- Ylang ylang
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
This is just a small list of essential oils that are toxic to pets, and pretty much any essential oil in a large enough quantity can be harmful.
What to Do If Your Pet Ingests a Toxic Substance
Our veterinarians at Desert Paws Mobile Veterinary Care are committed to raising awareness about pet poisoning and are here to help you learn what you can do to protect your pet. If your pet accidentally ingests a toxic substance, seek emergency veterinary care immediately and contact Animal Poison Control.
