Spring is upon us! With that comes more time outdoors, traveling, hiking, grilling out with friends and family for the upcoming holidays, and so much more. March is also Poison Prevention Month. This is the time of year that most veterinary practices see accidental ingestion of poisons, maybe your pet was given food that their bodies can’t tolerate, and they have access to outdoor plants that can be harmful if ingested.
There are a variety of common household plants and outdoor bushes and flowers that are toxic to both dogs and cats.
- Wisteria
- Rhododendron
- Sago Palm
- Oleander
- Chinaberry Tree
- Azalea
- Tulip
- Virigina Creeper
- Stinging Nettles
- Rhubarb
- Peace Lily
- Lily of the Vall
- Delphinium
- Foxglove
- Flower bulbs of any kind
- Chrysanthemum
- Bleeding Heart
- Amaryllis
- Hemlock
- English Ivy, the leaves & berries
There are many human foods and beverages that can also cause severe illness in your dog or cat that we always want to be mindful of as well. Just a small amount can cause your pet to have severe vomiting, diarrhea, and/or organ dysfunction. While we want to share with our pets, it is best to make your own dog treats out of your pet’s favorite canned food and there are many safe dog-friendly recipes online to do just that. It can be costly to treat preventable issues such as Pancreatitis as it is not a diagnosis that is quickly resolved.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Apple Seeds
- Avocados
- Candy- especially if it contains Xylitol
- Coffee
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Onions
- Raisins
- Walnuts
- Bones of any kind
Another issue we commonly see in the warmer months is the ingestion of commonly used outdoor products such as pesticides (rat poison/bug spray), antifreeze, compost piles, herbicides, and fertilizers. These products are very unsafe for dogs and cats and can even result in death if not treated quickly.
We love to see our clients and patients getting outside and enjoying the warm weather, keeping their pets exercised and healthy. Please just be safe and make sure everything is dog or cat friendly.
For more information on what is dog or cat friendly, check out the AVMA website pet parent’s education tab.
https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/Household-Toxins/
