National Poison Prevention Week

Poison Prevention Week starts March 19th this year. This is a very important topic for pet owners! Fido and Fluffy are very curious, and don’t know what is and isn’t safe to ingest. A Virginia Beach, VA vet lists some common household poisons below. 

Medicines

Any medicine, whether prescription or OTC, should be considered unsafe for pets, and kept out of paws’ reach. Vitamins and supplements are also unsafe! 

Household Chemicals

The average household contains 62 toxic chemicals. That list includes things like fertilizers, fungicide, drain cleaners, antifreeze, automotive products, detergents, paints, turpentine, pesticides, and cleaning agents. Store these things in secure cabinets, and keep pets away from areas where they are being used. 

Salt

Salt is essential for life, but it can become poisonous if too much is ingested. If you like salt lamps, this is definitely something to take note of. Some pets—usually cats—like the taste, and will lick them. This can lead to salt poisoning, which can be fatal.

Plants 

Plants are one of the biggest sources of pet poisoning. Sago palms are among the most dangerous for Fido. The whole plant is toxic, but the seed pods—which dogs sometimes chew— are particularly dangerous. Lilies are likelyt the biggest threat for kitties. Cats can go into organ failure just by eating a single leaf or drinking the water. Other toxic plants include rhododendrons, philodendrons, azaleas, tulips, daffodils, and foxgloves. You can find many more at the ASPCA website here. 

Essential Oils

Essential oils are considered natural and healthy, so many people don’t realize that, because they are so highly concentrated, they can pose a danger to pets. Eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are a few popular ones that are toxic to your furry friend. 

Tips

Keep an eye out for signs that your pet may have ingested something unsafe. The exact symptoms will vary, depending on the type of poison ingested. However, some of the common ones include vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, staggering, elevated pulse, trembling, and drooling. If you see any of these red flags, contact your vet or a pet poison hotline right away. Our number is 757-410-5533. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. (Charges may apply.)

As your Virginia Beach, VA animal clinic, we’re dedicated to providing top-notch veterinary care. Please reach out to us anytime!