The Following is just a PARTIAL LIST of Everyday Dangers.

For a complete list please visit AMVA Pet Poison Guide and the ASPCA website

Please also read our PREVENTION and DANGEROUS FOODS page!

Animal Poison Control Center Toxicology Bulletins: Pet Poison Prevention Tips
Friday, January 11, 2002 courtesy of  The ASPCA
424 E. 92nd St
New York, NY 10128
(212) 876-7700

Learn some simple ways to prevent your companion animal from becoming poisoned.

·  Be aware of the plants you have in your home and yard. The ingestion of azalea, oleander, castor bean, sago palm, Easter lily (in cats only), or yew plant material by an animal can be fatal.

·  Never allow your pets to have access to the areas in which cleaning agents are being used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties; some may only cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth and stomach.

·  Store all cleaners, pesticides, and medications in a secured area.

·  Most baits contain ingredients that can attract your pets. When using rat, mouse, snail or slug baits, or ant or roach traps, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals.

·  Never give your companion animals medication unless you are directed to do so by a veterinarian. Many medications that are safe for humans can be deadly for animals. For example, one extra strength (500mg) acetaminophen tablet could be fatal to a cat.

·  Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your pets' reach, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of human medications that can be lethal to animals, even in small doses.

·  Food items dangerous to pets include onions, onion powder, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk, dark), alcoholic beverages, yeast dough, coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans, tea (caffeine), salt, macadamia nuts, hops (used in home beer brewing), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), rhubarb leaves, avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats), cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, moldy or spoiled foods. Avoid Spinach, Swiss Chard, and Rhubarb: While these are not toxic, they are high in oxalic acid, a compound that interferes with calcium absorption, so don't feed these very often.

·  Many common household items can be dangerous to animals. Mothballs, potpourri oils, pennies, homemade play dough, fabric softener sheets, dishwashing detergent, and batteries.

·  Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than one tablespoon can be lethal to a 20-pound dog.

·  Before buying a flea product, consult your veterinarian, especially when treating sick, debilitated or pregnant pets.

·  Read all of the information on the label before using a product on your pet or in your home. Always follow the directions.

·  If a product is for use only on dogs, it should never be used on cats; if a product is for use only on cats, it should never be used on dogs. Never use permethrin spot on products (which are labeled for dogs only) on your cat.

·  Make sure your companion animals do not enter areas in which insecticidal foggers or house sprays have been applied for the period of time indicated on the label.

·  If you are uncertain about the proper usage of any product, contact the manufacturer and/or your veterinarian for instructions.

More Pet Poisoning Prevention Tips  (Courtesy of California Poison Control and U.C. Davis)

Pets are not immune from poisonings, accidental or intentional. Dogs are especially prone to poisonings as they can and do eat almost anything. Head off potential pet dangers with some preventive measures.

Feed pets only pet food. The fat content from table scraps can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Never give pets human food that you think might be spoiled. Animals can get sick from bad food as easily as humans.

Lock up dangerous garage or storage area items such as insect killers or fertilizers before confining your pet in these areas.

Choose a snail bait (metaldehyde) that does not look like pet food. The pellet formulation is responsible for many serious poisonings each year. Snail bait in the sawdust/powder formulation scattered in flowerbeds is safer.

Some mouse and insect killing products use peanut butter as an attractant. The peanut butter is also attractive to dogs. Keep pets in mind when placing these products around your home.

Clean up immediately after using household and automotive products. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that is attractive to animals. Even a small amount lapped up from the floor or driveway can cause kidney failure or death.

Use pesticides, such as flea repellant sprays or shampoos, with care. Read warning labels before use. Never use dog products on cats, as cats are much more sensitive to the toxic effects of products. Discontinue use immediately if any unusual symptoms appear.

Never transfer toxic products into jars or bowls from which pets can drink.

Don't leave medications within reach of pets. If you drop a pill, pick it up before your pet finds it and eats it.

Always check with a veterinarian before medicating pets. Many of the common over-the-counter medications (acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen) can cause severe toxicity in both dogs and cats, even with just one tablet. Instead of treating your pet, you could be poisoning it.

Don't allow your dog to eat chocolate. Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine, which acts very much like caffeine. Too much   theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, restlessness, excitement, tremors, seizures, and even coma.

Don't feed your pets alcohol or illicit drugs. It is dangerous. Many pets have had to be treated at an emergency vet clinic because of the folly of their owners.

If you live in a tick-infested area, check your pets frequently, especially if they have been out for an extended period of time. Refer to the Lyme disease section to learn proper removal of ticks.

Select houseplants with care. Some plants considered non-toxic to humans can be toxic to pets. See the plant section for more information.

Make sure curious, young pets have safe, non-toxic chewable toys and snacks available. When young pets are teething, they will eat or chew on almost anything.

Have the phone number of your veterinarian and the emergency vet number posted. Keep the Poison Center number handy. If you suspect a pet poisoning, do not wait to call. Prompt attention may make a crucial difference to your pet.

To vomit dogs at home (under the direction of a health professional), 3% household hydrogen peroxide is used. Have a bottle on hand and always call before using it.

The three most common causes of serious poisonings in dogs are snail baits containing metaldehyde, rat poisons containing blood thinners, and ethylene glycol antifreeze. Only a little can cause life-threatening poisoning. Treatment is prolonged and expensive! With care, you can prevent poisoning your pet.

Call: 1-800-876-4766
anytime, anyplace
California Poison Control System

Flea and Tick Collars:  Some are safer than others. Read all info before using and avoid all Hartz flea products (read here). Other collars may be fine on one pet but if they are playing with another animal and the other pet grabs the collar with it's mouth during play it maybe poisoned! Use any type of chemicals with caution! Please visit our page on Flea products.

Most dangerous foods are NOT  listed here. Just a few. For a full list of dangerous foods go to our DANGEROUS FOODS page and also see the ASPCA website

Chocolate & Nuts Poisoning Lots of goodies around your house?  Many dogs and some cats enjoy chocolate, too, and if given the opportunity will engorge themselves. Unfortunately, more harm may be done than the loss of your dessert.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine. When ingested   serious medical problems can result. What may not seem to be a large quantity for a person to consume is quite a lot for a dog weighing 10 or 20 pounds. Animals with chocolate poisoning may be restless, tense and thirsty. Vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions occur in more serious cases.

Prevention is the key. Keep your chocolate out of reach of your pets. If Fido still manages to find and consume chocolate, call your veterinarian. Early on, absorption can be prevented by medically inducing vomiting or by pumping the stomach. After signs develop, supportive medical care is necessary.

This article courtesy of Pet Health Library

No chocolate or nuts for dogs

By the Associated Press

Keep spot away from many types of chocolate, which are filled with caffeine and theobromine, a bitter substance extracted from plant's that's similar to caffeine. They can cause tremors, heart arrhythmias and seizures. Chocolate can also trigger pancreatitis because of its high fat content. Unsweetened chocolate is the most harmful. Three ounces is considered toxic for a 20-pound dog., 6 ounces for a 40-pound dog, and 9 ounces for a 60-pound dog.
   

Walnuts and Macadamia nuts also are hazardous to dogs. One ounce can lead to paralysis or weakness in a 20-pound dog. Immediately call a veterinary clinic if your pup eats something he shouldn't.  Peanut Butter however is safe in reasonable doses!

Grape and raisin poisonings in Dogs Recently, there was a letter in the AVMA Journal from Dr. Gwaltney-Brant and others at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center discussing grape and raisin poisoning in dogs. Apparently, grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs when ingested in large quantities.  The grapes and raisins came from varied sources, including being eaten off the vine directly. The dogs exhibited gastrointestinal signs including vomiting and diarrhea and then signs of kidney failure with an onset of severe kidney signs starting about 24 hours after ingestion of the grapes or raisins. The amount of grapes eaten varied between 9oz. and 2 lbs., which worked out to be between 0.41 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight. Two dogs died directly from the toxicity, three were euthanized due to poor response to treatment and five dogs lived. Due to the severity of the signs and the potential for death, the veterinarians as the poison control center advocate aggressive treatment for any dogs suggested of ingesting excessive amounts of grapes or raisins, including inducing vomiting, stomach lavage (stomach pumping) and administration of activated charcoal, followed by intravenous fluid therapy for at least 48 hours or as indicated based on the results of blood tests for kidney damage.

I have fed my dogs a few grapes every now and then for years, so I don't think there is a need to panic if a dog eats three or four grapes but if the whole bunch is missing from the table one day, it would be good to think about watching for any signs of a toxic reaction.

from Michael Richards, DVM pet advice column on 6/5/2001

Painted Ceramic Bowls can be dangerous leaking lead toxins into your pets food or water. This is a tip for PEOPLE TOO! Best to use WHITE or clear glass. Never 'colors'! If the OUTSIDE of the bowl is color it's fine but not the INSIDE. Even if 'glazed' the lead or toxins from paint and colors can get into the food and water. Lead is found also found in the fired on glaze. If you want to eliminate the possibility of having lead glaze--buy bowls that are not glazed.

Glass plates, cups, etc. that do not have any painted or decal-like decorating will not have lead.

Stoneware which is heavy and has a low shine is usually coated with a non-lead material. If the dishes have painted or decal-like decorations, or a bright glossy glaze there is the potential for lead. The low shine, non painted, no decal stoneware dishes are almost as lead-free as glass.

There is china that is glossy but made with lead free glazes and pigments. Ask the seller and if they don't know call the manufacturer.

High Risk Items

Old China - Handed down from previous generations. Be sure to test any cracked or chipped areas.

Homemade or Handcrafted China - From U.S. or abroad, check to see if the manufacturer uses lead-free glaze or high temperature, commercial type firing practices.

Highly Decorated Multi-Colored "Inside" Surfaces - High levels of lead are typically found in brightly colored glazes.

Decorations on Top of the Glaze - Can you feel the decoration when you rub your fingers on the surface? Can you see the brush strokes showing that decoration was painted on?

Corroded Glaze - A dusty or chalky residue on the glaze after the piece has been washed. This is extremely dangerous and should never be used to serve food in or drink.

Don’ts
Store food or drink in a lead-containing ceramic pitcher or bowl.
Store highly acidic foods in questionable china.
Questionable pieces of china should not be used in your everyday routine.
Questionable pieces should not be heated in the microwave oven because the heat can accelerate the lead leaching process.

Testing- consider buying a testing kit if you want to continue to use this type of bowl.

Cleaning Products: Nose and Mouth cancers are becoming more prevalent because of animals sniffing and eating items off the floor. Try to use natural products to clean floors etc. and remember not to use insecticides around pets and when you do use toxic substances wipe floor surfaces after with a natural cleaner.  We love ECOVER floor soap about $4 for 32oz  and it lasts forever - about 10 times longer than a regular cleaner! Dr. Bronner is also excellent and also very concentrated. We stopped using SWIFFER fluid (all chemicals) and make our own spray solution with Ecover. We spray our mix on the floor and then mop up with swiffer pads. Try it you will LOVE IT - cleans great, beautiful clean scent and chemical free!  We also love the Ecover all purpose cleaner. Some supermarkets now carry it, if not go to your local health store. Want to make a non toxic glass cleaner? Mix 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar + 1 tsp. liquid dish detergent - 4 cups of water, mix up in a spray bottle. You will have glistening glass tables and window! No ammonia!

The hazards of Aspirin and Ibuprofen  generally a buffered (or enteric coated) aspirin is good for your dog if it's got a sprain or to relieve arthritis pain. However if your dog is taking prescription meds it can be very dangerous to mix the two. So please check with your vet.

When we aren't feeling so well, we reach for something like aspirin or Tylenol, or ibuprofen (NSAIDS or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), so why not give kitty a bit to help her out? Many well meaning pet owners do just that, and end up poisoning their pets!

Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Ibuprofen toxicity is due to an active metabolite made by the liver from the drug. This metabolite causes severe damage to liver cells and red blood cells. Dogs tend to have more liver damage, whereas cat's red blood cells undergo a transformation of their normal oxygen carrying hemoglobin to a non functional form called methemoglobin. One Children's Tylenol tablet contains almost twice the toxic level for a normal sized cat per kilogram of body weight, and the adult size Tylenol has more than six times the toxic level!

The problem is more acute and life threatening in cats than in dogs (though by no means safe in your canine companion!). The signs in cats occur within one to two hours after ingestion and include salivation, vomiting, cyanotic gums, severe depression, dark colored urine and swollen face and paws. If your pet ingests Tylenol, get them to a veterinarian right away for emergency treatment.

Buffered or enteric coated Aspirin (salicylic acid) is in many cases given to dogs -but the dosage MUST be carefully calculated by your vet. Ibuprofen, is sometimes prescribed for dogs, in closely monitored doses, and should never be given to cats." ALSO NOT GIVE CATS ASPIRIN! Be careful of other home medications such as Pepto Bismol, it contains aspirin - so read your labels! Again, if your pet ingests aspirin in an over dosage, call your vet for treatment. Untreated overdoses can result in stomach ulcers, severe kidney damage, and liver disease. The same holds true for ibuprofen, which is never prescribed for pets. Be careful of accidental ingestion too, tablets like Advil are coated in a sweet tasting shell, and dogs may just eat them like candy if they are left around for an inquisitive pooch!  (article courtesy of http://www.thepetchannel.com/)

 Mike Richards, DVM  (3/10/2001) wrote in his column on this topic:

Based on reactions in our canine patients, this is the ranking I would give these medications: safest  acetaminophen (Tylenol tm), also safe  aspirin, less safe  ibuprofen (Advil tm, Motrin Rx). However, this is the ranking that I would give them based on the reports in the literature and factoring in the likelihood of a bad reaction causing death: safest  aspirin, also safe but less so  acetaminophen and less safe ibuprofen. The reason for these rankings include these things. Aspirin is reasonably likely to cause gastric ulcers, which can be life threatening if ignored but which respond to withdrawal of the medication. Acetaminophen doesn't seem
to cause ulcers but there are uncommon reactions to it in which liver failure occurs and this may not respond to therapy, so death is a possibility. Ibuprofen is very likely to cause ulcers, with 100% of dogs developing ulcers with the use of ibuprofen in at least one study. On the other hand, lots of my clients come in and tell me "I gave my dog an ibuprofen last night" and I have only had to treat one or two cases of ulcers and I can't recall a dog dying from this medication, yet. My personal preference for pain and fever in dogs is aspirin but we do warn our clients to discontinue the medication if the dog stops eating and to call  us or come in for a recheck if that happens.  In cats the situation is different. Acetaminophen is very toxic to cats and this medication should simply never be used to treat a cat. Aspirin has a long half life in cats, at least 24 to 48 hours, so it will reach toxic levels pretty quickly if it is given more frequently than once every 48 hours and the dosage is 10mg/lb so a baby aspirin (81mg) is a much more appropriate dosage for a cat than an adult aspirin. I have not seen much information on ibuprofen and cats but it is a good idea to avoid all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications in cats, at least until one of them does prove to be safe in someone's clinical trials.

Pennyroyal (herb- natural insect repellent) is Toxic   to cats and dogs and should not be used in powered or ground form. Animals lick themselves and would ingest enough of the substance to cause harm.  Bunches of the dried herb can be used safely as an insect  repellant--especially for mosquitoes. Just be sure to hang the herbs out of reach.

Rawhides and dog treats- HOOVES and OTHER TREATS: are generally NOT recommended. Most rawhides have chemical that cause cancer .But if you do still want to use them from time to time as a  treat  it is important that if you do give them that they are of the highest grade and US manufactured. Therefore make sure you buy ones made in the USA and are UNBLEACHED. Smoked aren't good as smoked products are carcinogenic. Basted is ok. Do not buy the white ones as they are full of chemicals.  Good quality rawhide should only get gooey and gum up when chewed, never chip off. If they chip and not goo/get sticky enough,  the chips can get lodged in the little dip in their esophagus and they can choke on that. As many as 40% of all dogs are allergic to cow skin rawhide chews. For more on Rawhides click here. NEVER give COW HOOVES! They splinter and sharp pieces have killed many dogs. Better alternatives are pig ears, nylabones, and American made bully sticks - however ALWAYS be with your pet when they are eating these as there is always a danger of a piece breaking off and splitting. Nylarbones are not detectable on an x-ray. Greenies are another treat that now is questionable. It is found that they can be slippery and if a piece slides down the throat the dog can die. Also some animals are having problems digesting. For now we recommend you avoid them till further changes are made..  For more on Rawhides click here. Also supervise any chew treats!  Also read lables. Many commercial dog treats contain:  BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin & propylene glycol– and corn syrups/sugars that cause cancer. Do NOT use treats with ANY OF THESE THINGS! SAFE ALTERNATIVES... KONG TOYS - KONG GOODIE SHIPS and other STUFFABLE HARD RUBBER TOYS. Fill them with frozen meat, cheese, and peanut butter for a long lasting SAFE TREAT!

Benzocaine One of our list member's personal Bichons had a very bad reaction to this spray..and we wanted to share her ordeal with you, as it is common for dogs to react this way. If you spray Benzocaine on your dogs for itching, if they lick it off, it can cause problems...so be careful!!:) This is an excerpt
from her letter:

Since her last grooming she has been chewing in several places and causing
large ugly "hot spots".  I think she is allergic to the whitening stuff they
use and previously I had asked them to stop using it since I noticed she was
itching a lot after grooming.  That helped and there have been no problems
until this last grooming when I asked them to use it once more because she
was looking a bit dingy, and also I thought it would prove whether or not it
was this stuff causing the problem.

Well, she has been itching and as I said, chewing in different places.  One
on her front paw, one on one of her rear paws, and one on her chest just
above a front leg where I thought she couldn't possibly reach!  This morning
I found another scabby healed spot at the top behind one of her ears.

Anyway, Saturday night just before we went to bed, I decided to put something
on her leg to possibly discourage her from chewing on it and also that would
help heal it or prevent infection.  I found some Americaine antibacterial
spray in my medicine closet and thought that would be good.  STUPIDLY, I
didn't read the label.  It contains 20% benzocaine and says it shouldn't be
ingested.

Of course, after I was asleep, she continued to chew the spot.  When I woke
up in the morning she was sleeping on my pillows above my head.  I reached up
to pet her head and first thing I discovered was the pillow was wet like she
had been drooling a lot.  Then when I looked, her gums were not white (which
I know is a bad sign), but pretty pale pink.  (This is what happened once
when I first got her and she got into some chocolate).  Then I started
thinking and went and read the label and knew it was from that.

I called the emergency animal hospital who weren't much help.  I called the
Poison Control Center who also weren't too much help but said that it sounded
like Methemoglobinemia and the antidote should be given within one hour of
ingestion to be effective.  Of course, it had already been ten or more hours.

The poison control center also told me that she could be vomiting and have
diarrhea and be lethargic.  She was none of those things and seemed
perfectly happy and energetic except for the drooling and pale gums.  My
third call to the poison control center a different lady told me that this
wouldn't cause pale gums, but rather BLUE gums.  Well, they certainly weren't
blue.
The brand name on the one I have is AMERICAINE.  Above that it says "Hospital
Formula".  Beneath the Americaine it says "Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic
Spray".  Below that it says "Maximum Strength 20% Benzocaine".   Below that it
says "stops the pain and itch fast.  For minor cuts, scrapes, burns and
sunburns.

The ingredients label says:  ACTIVE INGREDIENT:  Benzocaine 20%
OTHER INGREDIENTS:  Isobutane (propellant).  Polyethylene glycol 300, propane
(propellant).

The label also says:  Warnings:  For external use only.  Avoid contact with
the eyes.  If condition worsens, or if symptoms persist  for more than 7
days, or clear up and occur again within a few days, discontinue use and 
consult a physician.  KEEP THIS AND ALL DRUGS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. 
In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact  a
poison control center immediately.

Again, it is the Benzocaine ingredient that causes the problem.  I would
imagine anything containing Benzocaine or anything ending with "caine" would
be a problem.

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