March is Pois on Prevention Month! This is a very important topic for those of us in the veterinary world. Poisoning is unfortunately not uncommon for pets. Our animal companions are very curious, and they also love to eat and chew things. Since your furry pal doesn’t know what is and isn’t safe, it’s up to you to keep anything that could be toxic away from them. In this article from Armitage Animal Clinic, a Newmarket, ON vet lists some things to be aware of.
H ousehold Chemicals
Did you know that the average household contains 62 toxic chemicals? Cleaning agents, mildew sprays, bathroom cleaners, oven cleaners, drain cloggers, window cleaning fluid, paint, turpentine … these are just a handful of the things that are poisonous to pets. Most pets won’t get into the cupboard and chew through a bottle. However, they can still ingest it by walking through a spill, or getting some on their fur and licking it off.
Food
Many of our furry friends are interested in pretty much anything we are cooking or eating. However, while some of our foods are safe, many others aren’t. While every type of pet has their own list of safe and unsafe foods, there are some that are bad for all of them. That list includes chocolate; alcohol; caffeine; garlic and onion; rhubarb; avocado; and anything that contains xylitol. Grapes, currants, and raisins may be okay for some smaller pets, but not for dogs and cats.
Alcohol
Booze is a definite no-no! Even small amounts can make your furry buying very sick. Keep your drink out of paws’ reach!
Lawn/Garden Products
Things like fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are also a concern. As with cleaning agents, pets can easily ingest these by walking through a treated spot and then licking their fur. When you can, water the ground after applying these, so they soak into the soil.
Plants
Plants are another hazard. Tulips, lilies, daffodils, azaleas, and rhododendrons are a few of the more toxic ones. You can find more listed at the ASPCA site here .
Medication
Medicines are also unsafe. Keep both OTC and prescription meds in cabinets. Better safe than sorry!
If you have questions about what is and isn’t safe for your pet, call Armitage Animal Clinic, your local
Newmarket, ON pet clinic. We’re dedicated to keeping your animal companion happy and healthy.
