Pets & Poisons

Many things in your home may be poisonous to your pets. Dogs, cats, and other animals are curious. They like to lick and chew. This places your pets at risk of being poisoned. You can help keep your pets safe by storing and using poisons safely. Be aware of these common poisons in and around your home:

Alcohol
Because of your pet's small size, it cannot tolerate any beer, wine, or liquor. Large amounts of alcohol can be deadly. Do not give your pets alcohol or let them lick up spilled drinks.

Automotive Products
Many automotive products, including car cleaners, antifreeze, windshield washer fluids can be deadly to your pets. Store automotive products in tightly closed containers kept out of the reach and sight of your pets. Make sure you clean up any spills or leaks right away. When getting rid of automotive products, follow the product label directions. Do not pour products into the street or onto the grass or yard.

Chocolate
Chocolate can be deadly to your pets. Baking chocolate is more dangerous than semi-sweet and milk chocolate. Store all chocolate out of the reach and sight of your pets.

Raisins & Grapes
As few as seven Raisins or Grapes can kill your pet!

Fertilizers
Keep your pets away from yards and gardens when you are using fertilizers. Your pets may get poisoned by licking their paws after walking on a newly fertilized lawn.

Flea and Tick Sprays
When you use flea and tick products, always read the product label and follow the directions carefully. If your pet begins to act strangely, stop using the product. Wash your pet off with soap and water, and call the Poison Center or your veterinarian right away. Never use products meant for dogs on your cats or products meant for your yard or house on your pets.

Household Cleaners & Chemicals
Toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, dishwashing detergents, drain cleaners, pine oils, and other cleaning products can be deadly to your pets. Keep your pets out of rooms where cleaners are being used. Your pets can easily get into cleaners left in open buckets or spilled on the floor. Make sure you clean up cleaning supplies and spills right away. Keep cleaners stored in tightly closed containers, out of the reach and sight of your pets.

Medicines and Vitamins
Medicine and vitamins meant for people may not be safe for your pets. This includes over-the-counter medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, cough or cold medicines and decongestants. Never give medicine meant for one animal to another. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your pets any medicine. Make sure you follow directions when giving your pets medicine. Keep medicines stored out of the reach and sight of your pets at all times. With their curiosity and strong teeth, dogs can easily open medicine bottles and tubes.

Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals used to kill weeds, bugs, rats, mice, and other rodents. They can also kill your pets. Before you use any pesticide, read the product label and follow directions. If you use baits or powders, put them where your pets cannot find them. Keep your pets off lawns sprayed with lawn chemicals until they are completely dry. Store pesticides in tightly closed containers kept out of the reach and sight of your pets.

Plants and Mushrooms
Many indoor and outdoor plants and mushrooms are poisonous to pets. Pets, especially cats, love to chew on plants. Keep poisonous plants away from your pets! Make sure you know the names of your plants.