Some foods that may be safe for you to consume can be dangerous for your dog or cat. Animals can also get into household chemicals, and pets could be harmed from eating plants, either those you grow yourself or ones that might naturally grow outside. Unfortunately, toxic ingestion occurs quite frequently in pets. Our staff at Twin Peaks Veterinary Clinic in Tucson, AZ, wants you to what household objects are toxic to pets, and what to do if you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic substance.
Pets Should Avoid These Toxic Items
The following is a list of items that may be toxic to your pets; however, other things could be poisonous to animals.
- Pesticides and insecticides including rat poison
- Antifreeze
- Cleaning chemicals, bleach, potpourri
- Human medicine
- Wild mushrooms
- Toxic toads
- Tulips, sago palms, lilies, lily of the valley, hyacinths, poinsettias, and amaryllis
- White grapes, chocolate, onions, coffee grounds, rhubarb, alcohol, and raw dough
Signs of Pet Poisoning
Signs that your pet has ingested something toxic include foaming at the mouth, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, extreme thirst, lethargy, changes in urination, or other unusual behaviors.
If you’ve seen your pet ingest something toxic to them, find an open package or wrapper with nothing inside, or you suspect your pet is displaying symptoms of poisoning, get them to an emergency vet right away. Prognosis is partially dependent on how long your pet has been exposed to the toxin. You can also call ASPCA poison control for advice.
The veterinarian will try to induce vomiting to remove the toxin from your pet’s system. We do not recommend doing this by yourself because of the risks involved. A vet may also rely on activated charcoal to help absorb toxins in your pet’s stomach, followed by fluids to encourage your pet to urinate and to filter the kidney and liver. Medications can help your pet who is nauseous, seizing, or otherwise uncomfortable.
Some toxins are frequently fatal no matter how quickly you react, which is why it’s better to keep toxins away from your pet rather than treating the poisoning after the fact.
Get Help in Tucson AZ Now
If you believe your pet has ingested toxic materials, see an emergency vet right away. You can call Twin Peaks Veterinary Center in Tucson, AZ, at (520) 572-8300 right away for help.