Submitted by Joint Animal Services
Awareness is the key to preventing poisoning emergencies. It only takes a few minutes to educate yourself on how to pet-proof appropriately and avoid a possible heart-breaking situation. Follow the same general tips for humans to protect your animals. In addition to those precautions here are some tips especially for your pet:
- Never give your pet human medications including pain relievers, vitamins or supplements. Store them where animals cannot accidentally get them.
- Be aware that some human foods including bread dough, chocolate, onions and garlic and alcohol can have dire consequences for animals. When in doubt if it is harmful, the best advice is to avoid it and keep it out of reach.
- Keep all insecticides, rodenticides, lawn products and any other chemical products well out of reach of animals and use caution when applying them to insure that animals don’t come in contact with them.
- Read the product labels before you begin using any pet products such as flea or tick treatments–some that are fine for dogs are toxic to cats.
- Be aware of your houseplants. Many common houseplants can cause kidney damage to your pet if swallowed.
If you think your pet may have ingested something harmful take action immediately. Contact your veterinarian or call the Pet Poison Hotline at 1-800-213-6680 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 (there is a charge for these services).
