It may be surprising, but many everyday household items can be toxic to our furry family members. The two most common pet toxins are human medications and human food. It’s critical to keep prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines safely stored, and that includes those carried in backpacks or purses. While we may not offer our pets bites from our plates, they are very capable of finding potentially harmful foods on their own, both inside and outside the house. So vigilance is a must.
It’s under-the-radar items like these that can be overlooked when we think about poison, so here is a list of what to ensure is outside their reach.
Toxic food for pets
Chives, chocolate, currants, xylitol (a sugar substitute often in gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, supplements, and vitamins), garlic, grapes, leeks, onions, raisins, scallions, shallots, and yeast
Toxic plants for pets
Azaleas, lilies, oleander, sago palm, and tulips
Toxic products for pets
Rodenticides, ethylene glycol (found in many antifreeze products)
What are the symptoms of poisoning?
There is a wide range of symptoms that pets may display in response to ingesting toxins and the symptoms vary by substance. You may see vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, lack of coordination, fever, or other signs of distress. In general, if you are concerned your pet may have been exposed to a toxin, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Time is of the essence.
What can I do if I think my pet was poisoned?
- Check your household for the items and substances mentioned above.
- Store your veterinarian’s phone number in your cell phone contacts.
- Look up the location of your nearest emergency clinic, and save their phone number and address in your contacts.
- Here are some helpful phone numbers to save in case of an emergency:
- The San Francisco SPCA Veterinary Hospital for an appointment at (415) 554-3030.
- The ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- The Pet Poison Hotline at (885) 764-7661.