Common Household Products That Can Harm Your Loved Ones

The fact is curiosity can kill the cat….and our other furry pals. Do you know which products in your home are dangerous to your pets? You might be surprised……

CHOCOLATE:

Chocolate, coffee and tea all contain methylxanthines, which are basically stimulants. These products cause restlessness, hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhoea, urinary incontinence, muscle twitching, seizures and dangerous increases in body temperature depending on the dose your pet ingests. Cooking chocolate and dark chocolate have a higher concentration of methylxanthines and are more toxic.

COCOA MULCH – (made from cocoa bean shell) also contains methylxanthines and has resulted in sudden death after consumption by dogs. Beware, it is very palatable and animals often show no symptoms.

GRAPES/RAISINS:

Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, cats and ferrets. Signs of toxicity include inappetence, diarrhoea, lethargy and abdominal pain progressing to kidney failure within 24-72 hours. The dose required to cause toxicity differs from animal to animal so it’s best to steer clear altogether.

ONION & GARLIC:

Onions and garlic contain a toxin called N-propyl disulfide which damages red blood cells and stops them from carrying oxygen around the body. This causes difficulty breathing, weakness, blue gums (sometimes jaundice), vomiting, diarrhoea and an increased heart rate. Cats are more at risk than dogs. Remember! Products containing dried onion or garlic may also be toxic!

MEDICATIONS:

PANADOL, ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES E.G. NUROFEN, ANTI-DEPRESSANTS, RECREATIONAL DRUGS, PET MEDICATIONS…….

The list goes on and on. The bottom line is that many human medications can be toxic or lethal to your pet. Resist the urge to give your pet ANY human drug. The problem you are trying to solve will probably turn into a much worse one. Keep ALL drugs out of reach of pets – and this includes any pet medications too, particularly palatable tablets, but also flea/tick preventions, all wormers, heartworm products etc.

PLANTS:

Many house plants including Lilies/Liliacaece family, Dieffenbachia (dumbcane), Philodendrons, Ivy (various species), Creeping Charlie, Umbrella Plant and many more are extremely poisonous if eaten. Remove them or put them out of reach in hanging baskets.

Some outdoor plants like Brunfelsia (Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow), Lilies, Ivy, Oleander, Azalea, Foxglove, Hydrangea, Morning Glory, Nightshade, Rhododendron, Yew and many more can be poisonous to your pets. Many plants can also be responsible for allergies in our pets.

Lilies can cause acute kidney failure in cats, and Oleander causes sudden death. If you’re not sure if a plant is toxic, please call us.

WHAT ELSE:

• Advantix is toxic to cats – Advantix is extremely toxic to cats, so please be careful in situations where your cat and dog get snugly.
• Antifreeze – only requires the smallest amount to be ingested to kill your pet. It tastes nice so keep it away!
• Cane toads – cane toads are very poisonous; the toxin they secrete, which usually occurs when your pet mouths the toad, can potentially cause convulsions and cardiac arrest.
• Snail and rat baits – snail and rat baits are extremely tempting for dogs to eat, yet are highly poisonous and potentially fatal, and should not be accessible at any time. These can have serious health consequences for your pet and should be presented to a veterinary hospital immediately.

WHAT TO DO:

If your pet has eaten something unusual – call us immediately.

Usually the best course of action is to make them vomit it back up (not with caustic substances) and in most cases can only be performed within an hour of ingestion. Once a toxin is in their system, your pet may need intravenous fluids, antidotes and supportive medication, and observation in hospital to ensure the effects are minimised.

Remember: prevention is better than the cure! Keep all potentially toxic items well away from your pets. If you’re not sure what treats are suitable to feed then check in with us first. If you are unsure whether your pet may have had access to something it shouldn’t and it is feeling unwell, then seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. Any illness caught early tends to involve less financial and emotional heartaches later.