Pet Poisons

Beware the Everyday Items that Could Harm Your Pet

By Lisa Acho Remorenko

Friday, April 24, 2009

Recently, a young puppy who survived Hurricane Ike lost her life due to a common household plant she consumed. Amber was a spunky Lab mix adopted from the Houston SPCA by a loving family. Unbeknownst to her guardians, she had eaten parts of a sago palm plant, which is highly toxic to pets. After several days in the hospital, Amber developed jaundice and life-threatening liver failure. She was suffering from seizures and her owners had to make the humane decision to have her euthanized.

Unfortunately, these types of stories are all too common, especially this time of year. Springtime usually means thoroughly cleaning the house, fertilizing plants, laying mulch, treating swimming pools, and warding off pests. Sadly, all these activities could have potential risks to your pets. Worst of all, not all products are labeled. I thought I was well versed on the subject of pet safety. However, last summer I purchased cocoa mulch, having fallen in love with that heavenly aroma. Months later I learned that there were reports of dogs who were becoming seriously ill from consuming cocoa mulch. I immediately removed our cocoa mulch and replaced it with not-so-heavenly smelling rubber mulch made from recycled tires. While I miss the heavenly smell of the cocoa mulch, I now have an environmentally friendly product that is totally safe around pets and children. If you’re interested in purchasing this type of mulch, you can get it from most garden centers, or you can have it delivered to your home by going to permalife.com.

One product that I was really surprised to find hazardous to pets is fabric softener sheets. Apparently, these sheets contain detergents known as cationics that are potentially harmful, especially to cats. Furthermore, there are studies that indicate that fabric softener sheets could be harmful to humans as well. I found an interesting alternative to dryer sheets. There’s a safer product called “dryer balls” that work almost as well as dryer sheets. You can purchase them at most home goods stores.

The most common cause of companion animal poisoning is from rodent poisons and insecticides. If possible, it is best to use non-lethal methods of controlling rodents and insects for the safety of your pet. Have-a-Heart Traps can be purchased from hardware stores to humanely trap rodents. There are also natural alternatives to pesticides. Here are safer substitutes to commercial pesticides:

Ants—sprinkle cinnamon, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, or baby powder in problem areas and along baseboards and windowsills.

Cockroaches—sprinkle equal parts of baking soda and confectioner’s sugar in problem areas.

Flies—small sachets of crushed mint placed around the home will discourage flies. So will a potted sweet basil plant.

Mice—place cotton dipped in peppermint oil near problem areas. Used kitty litter is another repellent.

Mosquitoes—dab lavender oil on your wrists and elbows.

Aside from rodent poisons and insecticides, there are other potentially toxic household items that can pose a danger to your pet. The following should be kept away from pets:

Warm Weather Hazards

• Citronella candles
• Cocoa mulch
• Compost pile fertilizers
• Fly baits that contain methomyl
• Mothballs – especially those that contain 100 percent naphthalene
• Slug and snail baits that contain metaldehyde
• Swimming pool treatment supplies
• Toxins from animals – certain insects, spiders, snakes, and scorpions can be poisonous.

Foods

• Alcoholic beverages
• Avocado
• Chocolate—dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous.
• Coffee, tea, or any products containing caffeine.
• Garlic
• Macadamia nuts and walnuts
• Onions—they can destroy an animal’s red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness, and breathing difficulties. Their effects are cumulative over time, meaning that even if your pet eats just a few onions regularly, the toxicity that builds in his system can eventually kill him.
• Pits from fruit—especially apricot, cherry, peach, pear, and plum pits. Like apple seeds, they all contain cyanide.
• Raisins and grapes—especially in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can lead to kidney failure. Their effect is also cumulative over time.
• Salt
• Xylitol (a sweetener found in many diet products)

Medications

• Aspirin
• Antidepressants
• Flea products—never use a flea product that is designed for a dog on a cat. Always consult your veterinarian when buying over-the-counter flea products.
• Cold medicine
• Diet pills
• Pain killers
• Vitamins

Household Plants

• Aloe
• Azaleas
• Daffodils
• Geraniums
• Hyacinths
• Irises
• Lilies
• Philodendrons
• Sago palms

Household Products

• Cedar and pine shavings—they emit fumes that may be dangerous to small mammals such as hamsters.
• Cleaning solvents—always check the label on your cleaning products. If it says “keep out of reach of children,” it probably should be kept out of your pet’s reach as well. Always make sure floor surfaces are completely dry before allowing your pet to walk on it. Eco-cycle has wonderful eco-friendly recipes for alternative cleaning products that you can make at home: ecocycle.org. If this is too much work, Trader Joe's, Gelson’s, and Lazy Acres all sell nontoxic cleaning products.
• Fumes from nonstick cooking surfaces and self-cleaning ovens can be deadly to birds. Always be cautious when using any pump or aerosol spray around birds.
• String, yarn, rubber bands, and dental floss are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation.

Please be aware that this is not a complete list. Even so, you may want to print this list and keep it someplace easily accessible.

If you believe your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary service immediately. Signs of illness may include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and loss of appetite. The best advice, however, is to contact your veterinarian if you have specific concerns.

Try to safely collect and have available any material that you may believe is involved in the poisoning. This will greatly assist your veterinarian. You may also want to collect any material your pet may have vomited or chewed. In Santa Barbara, CARE Hospital (California Animal Referral and Emergency) operates a 24-hour clinic. Located on 301 East Haley Street, CARE Hospital can be reached any time at 899-2273.

Also, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center operates a hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (888) 426-4435. Be aware that there is a consultation fee for this service.

BUNS

Roscoe

Adoptable Pet of the Week

Roscoe, is about 16 weeks old. He is litter-box trained, neutered, and ready for a loving home. He has been in foster, along with his siblings and mother, since Christmas. He will be available at the shelter as of Wednesday (4/22) along with his mother and two younger siblings. He is curious, and will come up to be petted and picked up. He is sweet and handsome.

Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter (B.U.N.S.) is a volunteer organization that cares for abandoned rabbits. B.U.N.S is located at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter, 5473 Overpass Road. B.U.N.S. works to find bunnies permanent homes, and educates the public on caring for a companion rabbit. 
For more information, visit bunssb.org

Lisa Acho Remorenko is executive director of

Animal Adoption Solutions