Are there Pet Toxins in your Home?

 

We all want to keep our pets safe from harm, and this can mean keeping them from things you may find in your everyday life.

Items in our home we wouldn’t think twice about have the potential to be fatal to our beloved dogs and cats. It’s important to be aware of what is poisonous to your pet so you can ensure even the sneakiest little guy can’t get to it.

 

Knowing the signs of an ingestion can save you precious time in getting your pet to the vet! Here we will discuss 8 of the top pet toxins called into pet poison hotlines last year.

 

CHOCOLATE

While the risk here depends on a few factors, it’s important to still keep your pet far from this sweet. Your pet’s size and the amount they consumed matter in risk-assessment, as most likely a few chocolate chips won’t pose an issue. Keep in mind that dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate are much more toxic than milk or white chocolate.

Symptoms from these pet toxins include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and can be fatal if untreated. Dogs & cats are both at risk, but dogs are more likely to consume a dangerous amount.

 

GRAPES

If you have a dog, it’s best to be aware of what contains grapes and raisins in your kitchen. Unlike chocolate, toxicity from grapes and raisins is not dose-dependent. Even the smallest amount of any form can cause serious symptoms, such as: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, and acute kidney failure.

 

ONIONS & GARLIC

This common ingredient – along with leeks and shallots – can be toxic in small quantities. Toxic doses can cause oxidative damage to the red blood cells, gastroenteritis, and anemia (lethargy, pale gums, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, weakness, exercise intolerance, and collapse). If your pet has gotten into any onions, it is important to call a professional to see if the dose could affect them.

Although garlic is in the same family, it requires higher doses to be toxic and is used therapeutically at very low doses in dogs. Cats however, are much more sensitive to garlic and it is very toxic to them in all doses. Some Japanese dog breeds such as Shiba Inus and Chins are also more susceptible to these pet toxins.

 

XYLITOL

Dogs should avoid xylitol at all costs, but it is in more places than you may think. This ingredient is super common in sugar-free snacks & gum, supplements, toothpaste, & more. It’s likely you have at least one product in your home containing this. Very small amounts of xylitol can lead to toxicity, so it is crucial to avoid your dog’s contact with it.

Early symptoms include vomiting & hypoglycemia (lethargy, weakness, incoordination, tremors, seizures, and coma) and higher doses can lead to acute liver failure.

RODENTICIDE

If you have pets and a rodent problem, we highly recommend using a natural, pet-safe product to deter the critters. Common rodenticides contain pet toxins and have an alluring smell & taste. This makes them a high risk for consumption and can cause issues even if your pet consumes an affected animal.

These toxins typically take a couple of days to show symptoms, which can include internal bleeding. Especially if you have outdoor cats, it is best to avoid these products.

IBUPROFEN & ACETAMINOPHEN

With household pain medications such as Advil, Motrin & Tylenol, it is important to keep them far away from pets. Small doses may result in severe stomach ulcers causing vomiting, diarrhea, black-tarry stool, weakness, pale gums, abdominal pain, lethargy, & loss of appetite. With larger ingestions, kidney failure, liver failure and neurological problems (tremors & seizures) can develop.

Even with child-proof containers, always keep the bottles in cabinets or drawers.

AMPHETAMINES 

All human medications should be kept far from your pets, but with amphetamines becoming more used for ADHD and weight loss treatments, they are a huge risk. Toxicity symptoms if your pet consumes even the smallest amount include issues with their central nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems.

PLANTS 

Cats are most prone to toxicity from house plants, with lilies being the highest risk. Even the water from a vase with lilies can lead to severe kidney failure. Tulip bulbs are toxic to both dogs and cats & tend to be of highest risk when dogs dig up bulbs in the yard.

There are many other house & outdoor plants that can be toxic to your pets so it’s important to research before adding to your garden. Luckily – Barkfield Road sells pet-safe house plants in the spring & summer!

 

Avoid Pet Toxins

 

 

Many of these pet toxins are easy to substitute, if you find them in products around your house. It’s important to reduce the risk of ingestion and adjust where you store items.

If you have a counter surfing cat or a trash digging dog, you may need to take extra precautions. To be extra safe, avoid leaving anything out with these top pet toxins. Always have them away in cabinets or drawers, even when you are home.

 

If you suspect your pet has eaten something poisonous to them, call poison control to see if medical attention is required, or if you should continue monitoring.