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There
certain potentially harmful substances that dogs get into more than others.
In
2007, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center managed more than 130,000 cases of
animal poisoning. The top calls for dog poisoning involved the following common
household goods and products:
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs,
both of the human and dog variety, including painkillers, cold and flu preparations
and antidepressants. Dog owners should never give their four-legged family members
any type of medication without first talking with a veterinarian. All drugs should
be kept out of reach, preferably in closed cabinets above countertops.
Insecticides
and insect control products such as flea and tick preparations and insect baits.
Some species of animals can be particularly sensitive to certain types of insecticides,
so it is vital that you follow label instructions exactly and never use any product
not specifically formulated for your dog.
Common household plants such
as lilies, azaleas and kalanchoe. Rhododendron, sago palm and schefflera can also
be harmful to dogs (see the complete list below).
Chemical bait products
designed for mice, rats and other rodents. When using any rodenticide, place the
product in areas that are completely inaccessible to your dogs.
Common
household cleaners such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. Gastrointestinal
distress and irritation to your dog's skin, eyes or respiratory tract may be possible
if a curious dog has an inappropriate encounter with such products.
What
should I include in my dog's first-aid kit?
Accidents happen, so
it's smart to be prepared in case of an dog emergency. ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center experts recommend that you invest in an emergency first-aid kit for your
dog.
The kit should contain:
- Fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide,
3 percent USP (to induce vomiting in your dog)
- Turkey baster, bulb syringe
or large medicine syringe (to administer peroxide to your dog)
- Saline
eye solution
- Artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing)
- Mild
grease-cutting dishwashing liquid (for bathing a dog after skin contamination)
- Forceps
(to remove stingers from your dog)
- Muzzle (to protect against fear- or
excitement-induced biting from your dog)
- Can of your dog's favorite wet
food
- Dog carrier
Always consult a veterinarian or
the ASPCA for directions on how and when to use any dog first-aid item. We also
suggest that you keep the telephone number of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center-(888) 426-4435-as well as that of your dog's local veterinarian in a prominent
location.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Poisoned
- Don't panic. Rapid response is important, but panicking can interfere
with the process of helping your dog.
- Take 30 to 60 seconds to safely
collect and have at hand any material involved that your dog injested. This may
be of great benefit to your dog's vet and/or APCC toxicologists, as they determine
what poison or poisons your dog ingested. In the event that you need to take your
dog to a local veterinarian, be sure to take the product's container with you.
Also, collect in a sealable plastic bag any material your dog may have vomited
or chewed.
- If you witness your dog consuming material that you suspect
might be toxic, do not hesitate to seek emergency veterinarian assistance, even
if you do not notice any adverse effects. Sometimes, even if poisoned, a dog may
appear normal for several hours or for days after the incident.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog
- Alcoholic
beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all
forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
-
Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol
Warm
Weather Hazards for your dog- Animal toxins-toads, insects, spiders,
snakes and scorpions
- Blue-green algae in ponds
- Citronella candles
-
Cocoa mulch
- Compost piles Fertilizers
- Flea products
-
Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
- Swimming-pool treatment supplies
-
Fly baits containing methomyl
- Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde
Medications
Common examples of human medications
that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:-
Pain killers
- Cold medicines
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Antidepressants
- Vitamins
- Diet Pills
Cold Weather Hazards
for your dog- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Ice melting
products
- Rat and mouse bait
Common Household
Hazards for your dog- Fabric softener sheets
- Mothballs
- Post-1982
pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)
Holiday Hazards
for your dog- Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria,
which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.
- Electrical cords
- Ribbons
or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction-most
often occurs with kittens!)
- Batteries
- Glass ornaments
Non-toxic
Substances for Dogs and Cats
The following substances are considered
to be non-toxic, although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals:
- Water-based paints
- Toilet bowl water
- Silica gel
-
Poinsettia
- Cat litter
- Glue traps
- Glow jewelry
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