Pet Poison Prevention Guide

We all love our pets and want them to be safe. But we may unknowingly poison them by feeding them certain harmful foods or becoming careless on how we use, store, and dispose of our household products. According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (The ASPCA(R) Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), many substances commonly found in and around homes are potentially dangerous to our animal companions. They offer this advice to help us protect our pets every day and prevent them from accidentally becoming poisoned.

Foods

Certain foods can be toxic to pets if eaten in significant quantities. Try to memorize this list:

• alcoholic beverages
• avocado; onions
• chocolate
• coffee
• macadamia nuts, raisins and grapes
• moldy or spoiled foods
• salt
• yeast dough

Medicines

Ibuprofen may help relieve your headache, but painkillers and other common medications can be deadly to your animal companions. Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs - cold medicines, diet pills, antidepressants, anti-cancer drugs and vitamins - in closed cabinets out of your pet's reach. Never give your pet medication unless directed by a veterinarian.

Fleas

Pet got fleas? Be sure to always read a flea-control product's label before using it on or around your pet. Never use a flea-control formula on your cat that's meant for dogs only, or vice versa. Did you know that there are more than 18 brands of flea-control products for canines that contain permethrin - just a few drops of which can be life threatening to felines?

Plants

They may be pretty, but many common houseplants can be poisonous to your pets. Many members of the lily family (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) - popular springtime plants that include the Easter lily, tiger lily, rubrum lily, Japanese show lily and some day lilies - can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. If you’re unsure about a particular species, ask your veterinarian or visit the APCC online at www.apcc.aspca.org to find out if it is safe or not.

Cars

While essential to a car's cooling system, antifreeze can be fatal to dogs and cats - even in small amounts. Make sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle immediately, and consider switching to a propylene glycol-based antifreeze, which is significantly less toxic than conventional ethylene glycol antifreeze.

Lawn And Garden

Always store lawn and garden products in areas that are inaccessible to animals, such as a locked shed or garage. This goes for paint, oil, gasoline and other potentially dangerous chemicals, too.

Many plants and trees can be harmful to pets if ingested, so find out if a species is safe before you plant it. For example:

• Cardiotoxic plants - those that can affect the heart - include lily of the valley, oleander, rhododendron, azalea, yew and foxglove.
• Cycads and some species of mushrooms can result in liver failure.

Always follow label directions for proper application of weed killer or insecticide, and do not allow pets access to these areas until the recommended time limit has passed and the product has dried thoroughly.

If you suspect that your pet has ingested a poisonous substance, The ASPCA advises to immediately call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in your area. In most instances, early detection and prompt treatment increase the chances of a successful recovery. It will help to write down what you think your pet has eaten, when he ingested the substance, and any problems he is experiencing.

For more information, visit the "Make Your Pet's Home Poison Safe" interactive house at www.apcc.aspca.org .