FIDO:Hi, Fluffy, what are you reading?
FLUFFY: Hey, Fido. Check it out! It’s a list of some of the things that can poison us if Mom and Dad aren’t careful.
FIDO: Poison us!?!? Yikes!
FLUFFY: Yes, I had no idea how many common household items are really toxic for us. But don’t worry, Fido, as long as Mom and Dad follow the tips in this article, we’ll be safe.
FIDO: Well, let’s make sure that other Moms and Dads know about this! It’s time to bring in Pearl and Meryl to help spread the word.
…And so they did! Here’s their Toxins Safety Checklist.
Read on for more!…
Look Around!
Many episodes of pet poisoning can be prevented with just an extra moment of care. If you take medications, look around and make sure you haven’t dropped a pill or left a cough-syrup-covered-spoon within reach. Even just one stray aspirin can kill a cat.
If your animals have access to your car, don’t forget to check under it for leaks. We all know to keep antifreeze far away from our furry friends, but most of us forget to check underneath our cars. Antifreeze is just as toxic when they lick it up off the ground as it is when they get it out of the container. (And battery fluid’s no good for them, either!) And, one more thing – whenever you leave home, make sure your household cleaners, toiletries and detergents are securely tucked away.
Lock it up
Pet emergencies occur every day due to accidental ingestion of toxic substances of all kinds, ranging from over the counter and prescription medications to cleaning fluids.
to avoid this is to make sure that anything toxic is completely out of the reach of your animal. Don’t assume that because it’s on a high shelf, they can’t get to it. Although this is especially true for cats, dogs of all sizes have also been known to figure out how to get something they really
Get Familiar with this List
- Alcohol
- batteries
- caffeine
- chocolate
- cleaning products
- detergent and fabric softener sheets
- grapes, raisins and currants
- lilies
- macadamia nuts
- mothballs
- onions, garlic, leeks and chives
- OTC drugs including aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen
- prescription medications
- tulips
- xylitol (commonly found in gum, breath mints and toothpaste)
- zinc (check your vitamin’s ingredients) and also found in pennies, see more below!
For an even more more complete list, just Google “things that are toxic to pets” and you’ll get tons of resources with all the information you need.
Put Away Those Pennies
Pennies coined after 1982 have high levels
of zinc, which is very dangerous. Ingesting just one of those pennies can kill Fluffy or Fido. If you’re a penny saver, make sure to keep them out of reach, in a closed container.
Keep Poisons out of Your Home
Many people use pellet style rodenticides and think that 
they’ve put them somewhere that their pet can never reach, but our animals get into places we never realize they’ve been.
Pellet style rodenticides are not safe, no matter where you put them. Spray insecticides should be used only when pets are out of the room, and they should be kept out for several hours after you’ve sprayed. Mothballs are also quite toxic.
You can find safer alternatives for all of these by googling “safe [or green, or non-toxic] alternative to…”
Know the Symptoms of Poisoning
Though we all hope never to need to know, it’s important to recognize potential signals from your pet’s behavior.
The most common and acute symptoms of poisoning
blood in stool; dehydration; diarrhea; inability to urinate; irregular heartbeat; lethargy or hyperactivity; loss of appetite; nosebleed; and unexplained bruising.
If you notice these symptoms, give your vet a call immediately. If your animal seems to be in acute distress, forget the call and just immediately go to the nearest veterinary hospital.
Meryl Schwarz, M.A., M.Ed., is an animal lover and Certified Professional Coach specializing in grief support for people grieving their beloved animals. Whether you’re grieving a terminal diagnosis, the normal aging process, a disappearance or a death, Meryl offers compassionate and caring support with the wisdom of experience. Visit her website at www.merylschwarz.com to schedule an appointment by Skype or phone.