March is Pet Poison Prevention Month
March is Pet Poison Prevention Month and while I’m a little late in the month, I felt it important to write about. There are so many things that are poisonous for pets that a lot of people don’t know about, and while I can’t mention all of them, I can mention things are commonly found in and around homes.
We have a grapevine on the side of the house and thankfully the dogs don’t have access to that area. Hannah and Mabel LOVE veggies and I am sure if they could get over there, they would nibble on what they could. Once grapes start growing near the gate, I will cut them off so they cannot grow anywhere near the gate they have access to.
Let’s go over some common things that are poisonous to dogs and cats. Information for plant / mushroom identification and poison control information will be listed as well!
Foods / drinks toxic to dogs and cats include:
- Coffee
- Coffee grounds
- Chocolate / baking cocoa / cacao
- Grapes / raisins / currants
- Onions
- Sugar-free candy, gum, mints or drinks – check for xylitol
Other items around the house / exterior toxic to dogs and cats:
- Toothpaste / dental floss / mouthwash – check for xylitol
- Detergents
- Bleach
- Antifreeze
- Nicotine
- Rodenticides
- Some essential oils – tea tree oil, eucalyptus, cinnamon, citrus, clove, pennyroyal, sweet birch, peppermint, wintergreen, pine, ylang ylang
Plants / flowers / mushrooms toxic to dogs and cats:
- Wild mushrooms
- Sago Palm
- Oleander
- Lilies
- Amaryllis
- Lily-like plants
- Daffodils
- Azaleas
- Foxglove
- Cyclamen
- Autumn Crocus
- Tulips
There are wild mushrooms that are non-toxic, can cause GI distress, and there are mushrooms that can kill. If you see your pet eating a mushroom, remove it from their mouth as quickly as possible. Take a picture of the mushrooms and make sure you bag up any partially eaten mushroom for proper identification. Identification is extremely important. Quick note: you cannot be poisoned from touching a mushroom, they must be ingested.
Lilies - all parts including the water they are in are deadly to cats and contact is a veterinary emergency. Please take a picture of the plant / flower or bag it up for proper identification.
If you are unsure of a plant, flower or wild mushroom that your pet has eaten or come in contact with (example; lilies in a vase and your cat has come in contact with them), a fantastic group of Facebook is the Poisons Help; Emergency Identification for Mushrooms & Plants. They are a great group of knowledgeable admin and moderators and they are global. Poison Control and veterinarians refer people to this group for help, just make sure you follow their rules when you join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/144798092849300/
Actions to take in the event of a poisoning emergency:
- Remain calm.
- Determine the specific substance involved.
- Immediately contact a veterinarian or veterinary hospital.
- Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by veterinary professionals.
- Bring the suspected toxin with you to the veterinarian or veterinary facility.
Phone numbers for animal poison control:
- USA & Canada - ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
- UK - Animal Poison Line UK: 01202 509000
I know this can feel like a lot to take in, but a little awareness goes a long way. Taking a few extra minutes to pet‑proof your home and yard can make all the difference for our four-legged family members. This blog is printable for quick reference in the future, just click here.
A little prevention, some quick action when needed, and a lot of love go a long way. Here’s to keeping our homes safe, our pets healthy, and our grapes firmly out of reach.
Until next time stay comfy, don’t stress and you got this!
Michelle Miller-Matlock
AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator
Founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University
Administrator of Diabetic Dog Owners on Facebook
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