March is animal poison prevention awareness month and as a pet owner, it is essential to stay up to date on the most common pet poisons and educate yourself on the importance of proofing your home from these poisons.

Every day, there are frantic calls received from pet owners because their pet has ingested something in the house. With many household items being toxic to pets, it is important for pet owners to know and understand what they have in the home that may be harmful to their pets.

It can happen to even the best of us. You turn around for one second or get distracted, and your pet has ingested something that could be potentially harmful to them.

March is animal poison prevention awareness month

As a pet owner, it is essential to stay up to date on the most common pet poisons and educate yourself on the importance of proofing your home from these poisons.

Doing a thorough inspection of your home both inside and outside can help reduce the risk. If you leave a partially empty container with cleaner, alcohol, medications, etc. out, your pet may want to know what that is. They are instinctively curious creatures, particularly cats.

Imagine this… Your cat gets a spilled toxic fluid on her paw, she cleans herself with her tongue, thereby ingesting something harmful. Unfortunately, with her smaller body and weight, just a small amount could be fatal.

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, these are the 10 most common toxins reported to them. Keeping in mind that some are extremely toxic to your pet while others may not be. Whenever you are in doubt, please contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline.

Dog Poisons:
•    Chocolate
•    Mouse and Rat Poisons (rodenticides)
•    Anti-inflammatory medications
•    Xylitol (sugar-free gum & more)
•    Grapes & Raisins
•    Antidepressant Medications
•    Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol)
•    Vitamin D Overdose
•    Stimulant Medications (e.g., for ADD/ADHD)
•    Fertilizers

Cat Poisons:
•    Lilies (Lilium species)
•    Spot-on flea/tick medication for dogs
•    Household Cleaners
•    Antidepressant Medications
•    Essential Oils
•    Anti-inflammatory Medications
•    Mouse & Rat Poisons (rodenticides)
•    Stimulant Medications (e.g., for ADD/ADHD)
•    Onions & Garlic
•    Vitamin D Overdose

Symptoms to be on the lookout for. Some toxins will result in an immediate reaction while others may take several days to manifest symptoms. While there is no one set of exact symptoms to indicate a pet has been poisoned, there are some general symptoms to look for, including:

•    Drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea
•    Lethargy, weakness
•    Pale or yellowish gums
•    Excessive thirst or urination
•    Nervousness, hyperactivity, muscle tremors, seizures, coma

Pet-proof your home! Here are some tips to keep your pet safe and help you avoid a trip to the veterinary emergency hospital.

•    Keep foods that are toxic off your pets’ menu
•    Do not leave food out on table/ counters
•    Read and follow instructions of household products (cleaning products, insecticides, etc.)
•    Keep hazardous plants away from your pets
•    Keep your medications in their containers and away from their reach

When in doubt or you suspect that your pet may have ingested something they should not have, please seek emergency veterinary care. Below are additional resources as well.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) - Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is the best resource for any of your animal-related poison emergencies. They are staffed by board-certified veterinary toxicologists and specialist technicians with access to the largest veterinary-related toxin database available. A consultation fee may apply.

Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) - Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, the Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is another great resource to have for any of your animal-related poison emergencies. PPH is staffed by veterinarians and veterinary technicians with special training in animal poisonings, as well as board-certified veterinary toxicologists, internal medicine specialists, and emergency & critical care specialists. A consultation fee may apply.