Household dangers that can kill your pup or cat before you know it
Sometimes it seems like our dogs and cats will eat just about anything.
From pups who raid the trash, to cats who can reach that houseplant on the highest shelf, keeping our pets out of trouble can be a full-time job!
And since this just happens to be National Animal Poison Prevention week, it’s a good time to take a look around your house (and yard!) to see if any of these pet poisons are in your home — and within reach of Fluffy or Fido.
We all know about some of them, but I bet a few will surprise even the savviest pet “parent.”
And some are so incredibly toxic to animals that they can kill your pet in a matter of minutes.
And the numbers seem to rise right along with the outside temperatures!
Veterinarian Dr. Tina Wismer, the center’s medical director, says that the typical 600 emergency calls a day in wintertime increases to more like 800 during warmer weather.
That’s due to all those toxic pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides that make their appearance during the spring and summer. I’ve noticed that when walking my border collie Django, it seems that as soon as the weather gets the slightest bit warm we have to start dodging those little white flags.
You know, the ones warning that an area has been sprayed with some kind of poison.
But there are plenty of common things you’ll find around the house that could poison your dog or cat as well, even if they’re perfectly harmless to people.
Chocolate, for example, can be very toxic to dogs. But even though most pet parents should be aware of that, Dr. Wismer says it is still the number-one substance the poison control center gets calls about.
And chocolate isn’t the only food. The list also includes raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, garlic, onions and chives.
And if your dog gets his paws on a drug bottle, even an OTC one, it can be just as dangerous as if a child found it. That’s why Dr. Wismer advisers pet owners to think of their pets just “like toddlers.” (Of course, toddlers can’t jump five feet in the air or chew open a package of Ex-Lax!)
“Everything that is dangerous should be out of reach,” she adds.
But there are plenty of things we ordinarily wouldn’t worry about that can be life-threatening to curious felines and canines.
For example:
- Xylitol: This sweetener is used in gums, candies and even some peanut butters, and it’s responsible for killing dogs all over the country. It can put your pup into liver failure, and do it quickly, which is why it’s urgent to keep all sugar-free foods out of Fido’s reach. Also, be sure and check for it in the ingredients of any “people foods” you may share with your dog, such as peanut butter or crackers.
- String: Although not technically a “poison,” any kind of yarn or string can be deadly to a cat. Felines seem to by hypnotized by pieces of string and frequently ingest them. And often, they can become wrapped around internal organs causing significant damage — and even death.
- Plants: While curious cats have been known to sample just about any greenery, some plants will cause a lot more problems than simply vomiting on your new couch. Highly toxic varieties include azaleas, foxglove (which the drug digitalis is made from), spring bulbs, lilies, rhododendrons and many kinds of palms. In fact, the sago palm is so toxic that just one seed from it can kill a dog.
Of course, when in doubt as to what your dog or cat just ate, the safest option is to get them to your vet immediately. In some cases, minutes may count in getting emergency treatment.
During holidays and off hours, you may have to use an emergency veterinary clinic, and should keep the number of one handy. For $65 you can also consult with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 1-888-426-4435.
The ASPCA also has a free app for smartphones called “APCC by ASPCA” that will give you complete lists of dangerous plants and foods, as well as how toxic they are and how quickly (or not) you need to act.
