Poison Prevention for Dogs and Cats

Raising Awareness of Poison Prevention For Our Pets

Spring is just around the corner. Days will be longer. Pets will be outdoors more where they are likely to encounter potential hazards. Fights, bites, allergic reactions and foreign bodies all pose a danger.

Poison Prevention is the Key!

This year, National Animal Poison Prevention Week, takes place from March 19th – 25th, 2023.

Outdoor Poison Prevention

Easter Eggs — May contain chocolate, which contains caffeine and the chemical theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs and cats.
Slug and Snail Pellets — The toxic compound found in these pellets is metaldehyde. Eating small amounts can cause significant poisoning. Urgent veterinary treatment needed if ingested.
Plants and Flowers — Cats love spending time in the garden. Watch out for poisonous plants such as lilies, daffodils and azaleas which are very toxic and can lead to death.
Allergies — Cats and dogs can develop allergies to plants, pollens, grasses, and many other substances in the springtime.
Blades of Grass — Cats who have a penchant for eating long ORNAMENTAL grass or decorative grasses run the risk of getting the blades stuck in their nose and throat. This can cause breathing problems, coughing, sneezing, loss of appetite and nasal discharge.
Insect Stings — Cats often like to chase and play with wasps and bees and can be stung. Most of these cases are NOT emergencies. But, cats, like humans, can be allergic or become allergic to stings.
Adders — are most likely to bite in spring when they’ve just come out of hibernation. Their venom is highly dangerous to cats.
Insecticides — Permethrin is an insecticide commonly found in many over-the-counter ‘spot-on’ flea treatments for dogs. It is very toxic to cats. Most cats are poisoned when their owners mistakenly use a dog product on them. Cats can also show mild signs of poisoning after close contact with a recently treated dog.

Indoor Poison Prevention

Living Room — House Plants such as lilies are highly toxic. Liquid pot pourri can cause burns. Nicotine products are poisonous and batteries can also cause burns.
Kitchen — Some human foods are toxic to pets. Alcohol is toxic. Exposed garbage pails are dangerous especially if a pet can rummages through it.
Bathroom — Human Medications and Cleaning Products are hazardous to your pet’s health.
Utility — Vermin poisons, Flea and tick preps, and Glues especially Gorilla Glue are toxic to pets
Garage — Antifreeze products are extremely toxic, have a sweet taste appealing to pets. Windshield Wiper Fluid is toxic as well.
Yard and Garden — Fertilizers, such as bone meal or blood meal are tasty to dogs. Grub or snail killers can be harmful to pets. Yard insecticides and herbicides can be dangerous if ingested.