When a baby arrives, parents will ‘baby-proof’ the house to ensure the place is safe for little ones. But paw-rents should also do a safety sweep of their home as well – as pets can be in danger from household items and chemicals, too!
Dogs, much like young children, like to explore their world with their mouths. Basically, you’ve got to think about your dog and poisons in the same way as you would a child – if your dog can reach it, there’s a good chance they will want to try it – so make sure you keep household products out of their reach. As we know, some dogs eat just about anything, so it’s a good idea to have dog insurance for that unexpected trip to the vet. Prevention is far cheaper than cure and there are some simple, common sense things you can do to protect your dog from poisoning. Keep all medication in an out of reach cabinet; even in small doses, vitamins, cold medications, painkillers, diet pills, and antidepressants can all be lethal to your dog.
You Can Protect your Dog from Poisoning
Keep known poisons locked up or out of reach, and ensure your rubbish is also out of your dog’s reach. Be careful with plants around your house, pick off wilting petals before they fall and make sure your dog cannot forage in open compost. Be especially careful with bulbs as these can be lethal to dogs if ingested. Keep your dog away from grassy areas that have been freshly fertilized or sprayed with herbicides or insecticides – it is not safe for your dog until these have dried completely. Always store household products in a place that your dog cannot get to.
Some Symptoms of Poisoning
Lethargy and uninterested behavior, gums change colour (sometimes grey), oral or skin irritation, upset stomach / vomiting / diarrhea, weakness, rapid breathing, fever, drooling, coma, heart failure, depression, excitability, tremors / seizures / fitting, Increased thirst, dilated pupils, dizziness / loss of balance, disorientation and more. It is imperative that you contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten any toxic substances. If the poisoning happens outside of normal working hours then contact your emergency vet – it’s a good idea to have this number somewhere handy just in case you need it! REMEMBER: The quicker you get medical attention for your dog, the more likely are its chances of survival.
What to do if you think your dog has been poisoned
If you suspect that your dog has ingested something harmful – KEEP CALM. Contact your vet immediately and get expert advice. If you think it might be something lethal then take your dog to the vet right away – don’t wait to call.
Around The House
Keep cosmetics away from pets as some of these products can be irritants or toxic to them, and their bright colours sometimes make them quite appealing or tasty to pets! Similarly, nail polishes and nail polish remover should be kept well away from pet areas, as some of these products can contain hazardous ingredients or solvents that might be harmful to pets upon ingestion or inhalation. For those who draw or paint, keep graphic materials away from pets as some can be toxic if chewed. A note on pet products: flea treatments, worm pills, and mite powders can all be useful for keeping pets healthy and happy. But always seek advice to make sure you are using the right amount for what you want to do. Before you use the product, read the label carefully so you know exactly how to stay safe. Your pet could get sick if you use the product in the wrong way. When you have finished using the product, store it safely, wash your hands, and anywhere on your skin that might have come into contact with the product.
Check your vehicle for leaking anti-freeze or coolant and always keep unused anti-freeze out of reach of your dog. If you need to use rodent poisons check the warnings on the packaging and place the poison where it is inaccessible to your dog.
The Garden
Your neighbors might have rat poisons along their fence line or in their backyard. These are potentially very dangerous to all pets; if they are ingested, they can make your pet very sick or even be fatal. The same goes for ant poisons (in granule, powder and liquid form). These can be eaten by a curious animal if left unattended. If you suspect your pet has ingested any poison, it’s important to know what the poison is so that your vet can act appropriately. Keeping garden shed items such as lawn products, snail/slug baits, and potting mix away from curious pets is important as many of these products contain hazardous ingredients. Follow the label instructions and keep pets away from areas where they have been applied accordingly.
Disposing Of Products
Dogs and even some cats are great at getting into bins, so make sure you’re disposing of products properly and keeping bins securely closed. Pets who like to scavenge food and items from your household bins should be kept a close eye on or use bins and receptacle containers that have non-budging lids.
Common Poisonous Plants
Many types of plants and flowers can be poisonous to your dog. Check with your national poisons center. Effects of the poisoning range from mild to severe depending on the type of plant and the quantity consumed. Some plants will only cause mild symptoms of lethargy or listlessness, while others can cause seizures, coma or even death. Learn about the plants in your garden and neighborhood that are dangerous and be sure your dog does not have access to them. Ideally, toxic plants on your own property should be removed. Houseplants are easier to control - simply do not keep toxic plants inside your home. If you are planning to get new plants or flowers, research beforehand to learn whether or not they are toxic.
Here is a list of plants that are commonly known to be poisonous to dogs, however, this is not a complete list:
Daffodil (especially the bulbs); Castor oil bush (dogs love the seeds); Cherry laurel; Laburnum (and related species); Lilies; Philodendron; Azalea; Foxgloves; Ivy (some species); Rhubarb; Yew; Alfalfa (if ingested in quantity); Aloe Vera; Amaryllis; Apple (seeds); Apricot (stone); Asparagus Fern; Autumn crocus; Azalea; Baby’s Breath; Bird of Paradise; Box Caladium; Calla Lily; Casto Bean; Ceriman; Cherry (seeds and wilting leaves); Christmas Rose; Cineraria; Clematis; Cordatum; Corn Plant; Croton; Cuban Laurel; Cyclamen; Dieffenbachia, Dracaena, Dragon Tree, Elephants Ears, Emerald Fern; Geranium, Indian Rubber Plant; Kalanchoe; Mother in Laws Tongue; Marijuana; Mistletoe; Morning Glory; Narcissus; Nephytis; Deadly Nightshade; Oleander; Onion; Peach (wilting leaves and stone); Pencil Cactus; Plumosa Fern; Poison Oak; Pothos; Potato Plant; Primrose; Rhododendron; Swiss Cheese Plant; Tomato Plant (Green fruit, stems and leaves; Weeping Fig; Poinsettia; Mistletoe; and Holly Berries. If you get a real Christmas tree try to prevent your dog from drinking the water by securing a tree skirt around it. If the tree has been treated with fertilizer then this might make your dog unwell. Be very careful with your Christmas lilies and make sure that you clean up any pollen and fallen petals as these can cause adverse reactions if eaten by your dog.
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