With National Animal Poison Prevention Week coming up from March 20th through March 26th, we wanted to highlight some of the top poisons that you need to be aware of to keep your home safe for your pets. Some of them are probably already known to you, while others may come as a surprise. Review the list and make sure that none of them are where your furry friend can reach them.

Eight of the Most Common Animal Poisons

HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS

This is an area that may seem obvious. We all know that cleaners have labels on them that they are not to be ingested. What you may not have thought about is that some, such as bleach products and drain cleaners, can cause chemical burns as well, so that even if your pet does not drink them, they can still have their skin or eyes damaged.

FOOD ITEMS

Some of these are well known, such as dogs not being able to tolerate chocolate. There are other foods that are not ideal for pets as well, but here are some of the most common to be mindful of:

•       Chocolate

•       Onions and garlic

•       Avocados

•       Grapes and raisins

•       Xylitol, a substance often found in sugar-free gums, among other items

•       Macadamia nuts

•       Raw dough that has yeast in it

•       Alcohol

MEDICATIONS

Just as with children, all of your medications, prescription and over-the-counter, should be kept where animals cannot reach them. In your pets, they can easily turn into poisons. Do not try to give your animal a medication made for humans to treat a similar condition. Animals will not necessarily metabolize the drug the same way that a human does. Even with those medications that animals can take, a professional is needed to get the dosage correct.

PLANTS

Toxic plants are especially dangerous for cats as they are more likely than dogs to eat them. Lilies are particularly toxic, but other plants of concern include azaleas, hyacinth, daffodils, oleander, tulips, sago palms, and dieffenbachia. Be conscious of what plants are growing in your yard so that you can let your vet know if one of your animals takes ill after being outside. It may go without saying, but just like alcohol and medications, marijuana is also something that should be kept away from pets.

PESTICIDES

Products designed to kill pests such as insects and rats can be tempting to your pets to try as well. Be sure not to leave these poisons out where your pet can get at them, and take care that you are aware of what your neighbors are putting out also. Keep in mind that a poisoned mouse or rat could be eaten by your cat, so homes with felines are best off not using these products. If you need to do a fogging in your home, make sure that you leave ample time before reintroducing your animals. If you're unsure of how much is needed, check with your vet.

WEED KILLERS AND FERTILIZERS

If you have animals that go outdoors, you may be best off not using any of these products at all. Many fertilizers are made with ingredients such as meal made with bone or blood that is inviting to pets. As with pesticides, be conscious of what is being used in your neighborhood if your pets can get out of your yard.

ANTIFREEZE

Because of its sweet taste, this item has long been of concern, particularly for cats. If you should spill any antifreeze in your garage, make sure that you clean it up immediately to avoid any animals getting into it.

ESSENTIAL OILS

While there is some argument over whether even people should ingest essential oils, it is usually recommended that they be diluted. Some are absolutely not for internal use. Because these products are becoming more and more common, they are resulting in an uptick of calls to pet poison lines due to cats getting them into their systems.

What To Do if Your Pet Has Ingested Poisons

Even if you are not completely positive that your pet has ingested something toxic, it is better to be safe than sorry. Do not wait to see what happens. The first thing you should do is to immediately call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline. If you know what it is that the animal has gotten into, make sure you have it handy when you call so you can answer any questions. These professionals are best suited to put your mind at ease and let you know how to help your pet get the help they need.

If you are worried about what your pet has ingested, or you have any questions about what foods or products might be dangerous to your pet, give us a call at Pet Hospitals of Hawaii. We are happy to put any concerns you have at rest.