- PET HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS - Poison Prevention Awareness
Many of us are guilty of slipping our pets some " people food " from time to time . While this is mostly harmless , save for the excess calories , this habit could actually prove to be life-threatening to our dogs and cats . It ' s important for owners to educate themselves about what foods we take eating for granted that can be quite toxic to our pets . That ' s the reason March was designated as Poison Prevention Awareness Month . It ' s a good time to heighten our awareness about the dangers of accidental pet poisonings and ways we can prevent them .
It ' s common knowledge that chocolate is a no-no , but here is a comprehensive list of foods to avoid giving your dog or cat :
Dogs : Onions , Garlic , Raw Yeast , Bread Dough , Alcohol , Xylitol , Macademia Nuts , Grapes , Raisins , Avocados , Coffee , Tea , Caffeinated Drinks , Chocolate , Fruit Pits , Walnuts , Cooked Bones , Chewing Gum , Corn on the Cob , Dairy Products , Apple Seeds , and Nicotine .
Cats : Alcohol , Chocolate , Tea , Coffee , Caffeinated Drinks , Dairy Products , Fat Trimmings , Raw Eggs , Raw Meat , Raw Fish , Raw Bones , Raw Dough , Grapes , Raisins , Onions , Garlic , Avocados , Green Tomatoes and Potatoes , and Xylitol .
In addition , ordinary things around the house and garage must also be safeguarded from pets , such as household cleaners , prescription medications , over-the-counter remedies like NSAIDS , cold , allergy , and flu medications , anti-freeze , insecticides , plants , and flowers .
Ingestion of any of these items can cause symptoms and ailments in dogs and cats that range from vomiting and diarrhea to coma and death . Pet owners should be aware of several signs that may indicate poisoning in their animals . Common symptoms include :
Vomiting / Diarrhea : Frequent vomiting or diarrhea can be a sign of gastrointestinal distress caused by toxins . Lethargy : Unusual fatique , weakness , or less responsiveness than normal could be a sign of poisoning . Loss of Appetite : A sudden disinterest in food can indicate that something is wrong . Salivation or Drooling : Excessive drooling can be a response to certain toxins . Tremors or Seizures : Tremors , seizures , or difficulty walking may occur with severe poisoning . Changes in Behavior : Sudden changes in behavior , such as agitation or depression , can be a warning sign . Difficulty Breathing : Labored breathing or coughing can indicate respiratory distress .
While your initial reaction may be to try to make your pet throw up , veterinarians warn that that could be very dangerous . Methods that can cause more harm than good include salt , olive oil , Ipecac , even hydrogen peroxide . Salt can lead to dangerously high sodium levels in your pet ' s blood , which can result in tremors , seizures , or possibly coma . Olive oil can cause pancreatitis , and possibly pneumonia if the oil is inhaled back into their lungs . Using Ipecac can result in drooling , difficulty breathing , and a potentially deadly heart condition . While peroxide is certainly the safest method , using too much can be harmful to dogs , and cats ' stomachs are particularly sensitive to it .
The best thing to do if you know or suspect your pet has eaten something toxic is to contact your vet or the ASPCA ' s Animal Poison Control Center . Have as much information available as possible - what they ate , the amount they ate , and the time they ate it . They ' ll advise you as to whether to seek medical attention for your pets or handle it yourself at home . Check out the ASPCA ' s website for upto-date information . If you cannot reach your veterinarian or get your pet to an emergency clinic , their Animal Poison Control Center is open 24 hours a day , 365 days a year : 888-426-4435 . Depending on the situation and
6 Pawsitively Pets -- March level of advice offered , a consultation fee may apply .