Poison Prevention Month

Did you know that every year a needless number of preventable accidents occur right in our homes? Many common household products can be harmful, even deadly to our pets.
Following are a few helpful tips to help prevent accidents involving poisons in or around our homes.

1. Make sure and store any household cleaning products, chemical, insecticides, etc. stored high up or in a locked cabinet where they cannot be reached by your pets.
2. When disposing of containers that contained hazardous products, place them in a receptacle with a secure fitting lid, not a can that you pet can rummage through.
3. Keep medications, personal products, stored where pets cannot get to them.  This includes over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, vitamins, cold remedies, etc.  Never give your pet any pain reliever without first speaking with your veterinarian.  Many of these can be deadly to your pet. 
4. Do not use insecticides, rat poison, anywhere that is accessible to your pets. Keep in mind, when you use rat poison, your pet can also be exposed to the poison by ingesting the dead rat. Also before using lawn fertilizers, weed killers, etc., make sure and read the warning labels.  Do not let your pets wander on neighbors’ property; they may be using hazardous chemicals or rat killers on their property.
5.  Antifreeze is extremely toxic to your pets.  Make sure it is stored locked away.  Also check your cars for leaks, your pets may be drawn to antifreeze that has leaked on your driveway. 
6. When using flea and tick preventatives, make sure to read instructions thoroughly, and never put a product on a cat that is intended for a dog, or vice versa.
7. When picking our plants for your house or outside garden, make sure and research to make sure they are not toxic to your pets.  This includes tress and shrubs as well. 
8. Many foods are toxic to our pets as well.  Some are as follows:
1. alcoholic beverages
2. onion
3. macadamia nuts
4. grapes or raisins
5. fatty foods
6. coffee and other caffeinated beverages
7. chocolate
8. spoiled or moldy food
9. avocado
10. salt
11. uncooked dough

If you think your pet may have ingested something toxic, firstly remain calm.  Call the poison control center for assistance.  If you have the container from the ingested source, do not throw it away.  Do not give your pet any water, milk, or any other liquid.  Do not give your pet anything to try and make them vomit.  Do not do anything until you talk to poison control.  If you suspect your pet may have been poisoned take them to your vet immediately.

ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435