Protect Your Pets From Household Poisons

SnowydogBy: Tracey Zysk – December, 2013

Winter is here and with the season change comes the use of different types of chemicals to help us keep warm. However, these chemicals could be poisonous to our pets.

Our pets are sneaky and they could get themselves into a little bit of trouble if we don’t keep an eye on them.

This could leave our curious little ones with a tummy ache, vomiting or even worse toxins in their blood. Some of these items may be household cleaners, some will be outside chemicals and others may even be foods that owners didn’t even realize were harmful to their pets.

In fact, Animal Poison Control Center reported in 2010, that they had 167,000 poison cases with the number one culprit being human medication.

A couple of years ago I walked into a client’s house and her dog was very lethargic. Not typical behavior for this high energy spitfire.

When I took her outside she started to urinate blood. Immediately the owner and I got her admitted to her vet hospital. The outcome was the dog had gotten into her owner’s calcium pills.

Fortunately, this was caught in time and the dog recovered with no permanent damage to her kidneys or any other organ.

In the kitchen please keep your pets away from:

• chocolate

• grapes and raisins

• onion and garlic

• candy and sugar

• fatty table scraps

• all household cleaners

• trash

In the yard, basement or house keep your pets away from:

• holiday decorations

• plants

• anti freeze

• any chemicals

• gasoline and oils

Please keep all medications locked away at all times!

Do you have an Animal First Aid Kit? You can purchase one at any local pet supply store or you can make your own. Keep the basics in it.

Mine includes:

• tick tweezers

• digital thermometer

• bandage scissors

• plastic syringe for giving medication

• small flashlight

• sterilized gauze pads

• ACE bandage wraps

• Hydrogen peroxide

• topical antibiotic ointment

• saline eye wash

• instant cold pack

If we all take a few minutes and walk through our homes or around our properties, we may be surprised at what we see. Stop, take a moment, and remove anything of concern. Five minutes of your time, could mean a life time for your pet.

In case of an emergency call your vet or call the Animal Poison Hotline

Save this number, it could save your pet’s life 888-232-8870

Tracey Zysk, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care in North Andover MA is a local pet care professional. She has been featured on local radio, tv and newspapers educating the general public on animal care and animal health & wellness. Tracey is a proud supporter of Police, Fire & Military K9 units. Tracey may be reached at wigglewalk@comcast.net. Become a fan on facebook at Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care.