Pet poisonings can be the most insidious of pet injuries, especially if you’re not sure what your pet’s ingested. When an animal ingests poison, critical care by an emergency veterinarian is critical to your pet’s livelihood.
Most pet owners are aware of the more common substances that are poisonous to their furry friends, like chocolate, antifreeze, and rodent poisons. But did you know that grapes, raisins, avocado skins, and toothpaste also contain harmful toxins?
Avocado Skins
It’s often thought that avocados are poisonous for dogs and cats, but other than minor vomiting and diarrhea, they’re not particularly harmful. However, persin, found in the skin, pit, and leaves of avocados is very poisonous for birds, cows, and horses. If your pet bird has ingested avocado skin, there may be clumsiness, difficulty breathing, and possibly, death.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains theobromine, a diuretic and cardiac stimulant. How serious the toxicity depends on the amount eaten, the concentration of the chocolate, and the size of your pet. The effects on pets are similar to those on people who are extremely sensitive to caffeine and may include the following:
- hyperactivity
- restlessness
- vomiting
- increased heart rate and blood pressure
- abnormal heart rhythms
- fever
- seizures
- death
Onions
Onions are a member of the Allium family, which also includes garlic, chives, and leeks. Although garlic is the most toxic, all are poisonous for dogs and cats. Some breeds seem to be more susceptible to Allium poisoning, including Japanese dog breeds like Akitas. Allium causes damage to pets’ red blood cells resulting in anemia and the following symptoms:
- drooling
- lethargy
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- increased heart and respiratory rates
- pale gums
- weakness
- collapse
Raisins
Anything in grape family, including raisins, is extremely toxic for dogs. Even foods like grape juice and grape jelly are dangerous if ingested. Scientists are not sure why grapes and raisins are so dangerous, but if eaten, the dog may suffer sudden and severe kidney failure. Symptoms include:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- thirst
- frequent urination
- lethargy
- bad breath
- dehydration
- loss of appetite
Plastic
It’s everywhere: water bottles, packaging, cell phones, eyeglasses – the list is endless. It’s true that plastic is convenient and indestructible, but did you know that it also has a substance called BPA that’s been shown to be toxic to humans? Studies have also shown connections between BPA and autism, cancer, diabetes, hyperactivity, and more in humans, so what is it doing to our pets? Little research has yet been done into how BPA affects our furry friends, but consider metal dishes for pets and avoid tossing empty water bottles as fetch or chew toys for your dog.
Pet Poisoning FAQ
What should I do if I think my pet has eaten something harmful?
If you suspect your pet has eaten something harmful, try to identify the substance. Look for chewed or torn packaging, missing food from tables, counters, and cabinets, in addition to damaged plants. If your dog or cat has already vomited, collect a sample in a plastic bag. This collection will help your veterinarian determine the source of the poisoning and provide countermeasures against the substance.
What plants cause poisoning in pets?
Several common household and landscaping plants can cause pet poisoning, including lillies, tulips, chrysanthemums, holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias. These plants should be removed from yards and care should be taken to never bring them into the house.
What foods cause poisoning in pets?
Many foods and drinks that are safe for humans can be harmful, or even deadly, to pets. You should never feed your dogs or cats anything containing xylitol, artificial sugar, caffeine, or chocolate. Pets should also not eat grapes, raisins, cherries, hops, garlic, onions, tree nuts, salt, unbaked yeast dough, or moldy or spoiled foods.
Can I give my pet medications like aspirin or Advil?
If your dog or cat is in pain, it might be tempting to give them half a tablet of human pain killer, but you should resist the urge. Human medications, even in small doses, can be fatal for pets. If your dog or cat has arthritis or appears to be in pain, you should call your veterinarian for advice and to make an appointment.
What are the signs and symptoms of poisoning in cats and dogs?
The first sign of an accidental poisoning is torn open or damaged packaging. Symptoms of an accidental poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, excessive panting, and lethargy. Accidental poisonings can cause heart, lung, liver, and kidney failure.
What should I do to prevent my pet from ingesting a poison?
All human foods should be kept in the refrigerator, in cabinets too tall for your pets to reach, or in sealed containers. Poisonous plants should be removed from your yard and home. All medications, even animal medications, should be kept locked up or in sealed containers that cannot be chewed open. All herbicides, pesticides, car fluids, and other chemicals should be kept behind locked doors. Doing these things will help prevent your dog or cat from eating a poison.