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Accidental Poisonings - Many household items are lethal to your pets. A list of household dangers is available at the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control.
- Be Careful What You Plant. Plants not toxic to people like hibiscus, Easter lily family, mistletoe, and Dieffenbachia may cause renal failure, irregular heartbeats, cardiac shock and even death in pets. Other toxic plants include azalea, oleander, castor bean, sago palm, azalea, rhododendron and Japanese yew. Place them in an unreachable location so the animal cannot chew or dig them up.
- If your pet does chew on a plant, immediately remove the plant from its mouth and rinse the mouth gently with water. Identify the plant your pet ate and call the poison center or your veterinarian.
- Watch for excessive or foamy salivation and changes in the skin around the mouth, eyes or paws.
Preventing Intentional Poisonings- If you know you have a problem with a neighbor or relative, try to work it out with him or her. For example, if your dog is barking in the middle of the night, it may become a problem that others attempt to solve themselves. Showing your neighbors respect will go a long way. However, if you suspect your dog is at risk, don't hesitate to contact authorities.
- Also, make sure to keep your dog in sight at all times.
- If you suspect your animal may be in danger of being poisoned, observe your neighbors. See if their behavior reflects ill feelings toward your pet. If this is the case, talk to them.
- Be on the lookout for foreign objects and food products in your yard. If you see something suspicious, call your vet or the NAPCC at (888) 426-4435. If you find food products, freeze a sample of them immediately. This preserves the substance for lab testing by authorities.
- Pesticides and insecticides are common in cases of intentional and accidental poisonings. Rodent poisons are also common. If you suspect these substances were used, look for bluish-green pellets in areas frequented by your pet, as well as in its stool.
- Because animals are attracted to its sweet taste, antifreeze can easily be used to taint an animal's food or drink. In cases of antifreeze ingestion, look for florescent green vomit. Also, switching to a low-toxicity brand of antifreeze can help reduce the risk of a fatal poisoning.
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