Protecting Your Pets From Common Toxins

May is Be Kind To Your Pet Month. A great way to honor your commitment to your pet is to become familiar with the common household substances that are toxic to animals.

The most common sources of animal poisonings are rodenticides and insecticides.  Think of your pet as your "furry child," and keep these deadly items out of their reach.

A cat or dog does not have to eat or drink a toxin directly to become poisoned. For example, a cat can be playing in a planter area that has been sprayed with insecticide, roll in the grass, get traces of chemical on its coat and ingest it while grooming.

Below are a few common products which are poisonous to animals. Many of these items are safe for humans but toxic for pets. This is not a complete list, but shows how many harmful compounds can be found in your home.

Home and garden: Rodenticide and pesticide, antifreeze, slug and snail bait, cocoa mulch, fertilizer, daffodil and tulip bulbs, azalea, dieffenbachia, lillies, mistletoe, philodendron, batteries, petroleum products, non-stick pans (Teflon coating is toxic to birds).

Cleaning supplies: Bleach, detergent, drain cleaner, oven cleaner.

Food: Chocolate, raisins, avocados, onions, yeast, coffee, salt, and gum. The Xylitol in sugarless gum is very harmful and can cause death.

Medications: Aspirin, acetaminophen, cold medications, antidepressants, laxatives,  syrup of ipecac.

If your pet ingests a substance on the list or displays the symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, weakness, difficulty walking, tremors or seizures, contact your veternarian and a poison control hotline.  The Animal Poison Hotline at (888) 232-8870 has veternarians available for your questions and concerns 24 hours a day.