Protect Your Pets from These Common Household Poisons

March is a great time of year! For those of us in colder climates, we get to look forward to spending more time outside with our pets or opening up our homes for some fresh air! March is also the time of year where we start thinking about spring cleaning! Maybe that’s why the third week of March has been dubbed Poison Prevention Awareness Week. No matter the reason, it is our duty as your pet insurance company to refresh your memory and give you useful tips and reminders for keeping your pets safe.

Here is a short list of the top common poison dangers:

Foods

• Alcoholic beverages – fun for you but not your pets
• Avocado – trendy and delicious for humans, not your furry family members
• Chocolate – a nice indulgence for you but not a good treat for a dog or cat
• Coffee – extra energy for you, but your pets don’t need the caffeine
• Macadamia nuts – a great snack to have on hand but keep this one away from your pets
• Onions – good for a nice sautéed flavor, not good for your dog or cat’s belly
• Raisins and grapes – wonderful additions to your salad, not a good garnish for sharing

Human Prescriptions and Medications

• Pseudoephedrine is a common ingredient in over the counter cold and flu medicine. It can cause increased stimulation to the nervous and cardiovascular systems. ASPCA has all of the information you need about Pseudoephedrine! If you purchased medicine or have a prescription drug, keep it sealed and away from your pets!

Pet Medications

• Even though the medicine has been prescribed to your dog or cat by your veterinarian, make sure to follow the directions! Do not give your pet more than their daily dose or give your dog the cat’s prescription and vice versa. Some medicine works for cats but could harm your dog. Always call your vet with any questions or concerns.

Household Items

• Dishwasher tablets, steel wool sponges/cleaning pads, and degreasers can cause intestinal issues if a pet consumes them.
• Dryer sheets, detergent, and stain removers aren’t good for anyone to digest! Keep them sealed or in a cabinet. Consider baby proofing the cabinet if your laundry room is a high traffic area for your pet!
• Flowers (inside the home and outside the home) can be potentially fatal. Do your research before decorating and landscaping.

Common products in your garage

• Anti-freeze, while sweet-smelling to your pets, contains ethylene glycol which is extremely poisonous and can cause severe kidney injury. For an extensive list of EG sources and recommended treatments, read Ethylene Glycol Sources, Signs and Treatment.