Common Household Toxins For Pets

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Common over-the-counter pain medications include ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin. They are useful in people for reducing fever, inflammation, and pain. Most, however, can cause serious side effects in dogs and cats. These include stomach upset, stomach bleeding, kidney and liver damage. Please consult your veterinarian before giving any OTC medication. There are safer veterinary alternatives to these drugs, which your veterinarian will be happy to discuss with you.

Grapes and Raisins

We often like to give our pets healthy treats, like fruits and vegetables. Grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs. Just a few grapes or raisins in small dog can cause serious side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. If ingested in large enough quantities, they can cause kidney failure and death.

Chocolate

One of the most common toxins ingested by dogs is chocolate. It most commonly occurs around the holidays. The ingredients in chocolate that cause toxicity include caffeine and theobromine. Chocolate ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excitability, panting, increased heart rate, and, ultimately, seizures and heart failure. Please make sure all candy and baked goods that contain chocolate are stored in a secure location. Dark chocolate, including baker’s chocolate, can be toxic in very small amounts.

Garlic and Onions

Garlic and onions are very common ingredients in many of the foods we eat. If a large enough quantity is ingested, they can cause a break-down of red blood cells, called hemolysis, resulting in severe anemia. A blood transfusion can be life-saving. Better to avoid exposing your pet to these foods!

Antifreeze

Ethylene glycol is the toxic ingredient in most brands of antifreeze. It has a somewhat pleasant, sweet taste to dogs and cats. It is commonly ingested from the floor of a garage or driveway where a car is leaking antifreeze onto the ground. It has the highest fatality rate of any toxin. Only a teaspoon or two can be deadly. It will cause stomach irritation, depression, seizures, and kidney failure, leading to death, within a day of ingestion. Pets need to be treated within 2-4 hours of ingestion to have a good prognosis for recovery.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sweetener used in some sugar-free gums, candies, toothpastes, mouth washes, and baked goods. The most common source of xylitol poisoning in dogs is chewing gum. It can cause weakness, seizures, low blood sugar, and abnormal electrolyte levels. It can also cause damage to the liver, resulting in liver failure.

Lilies

Lilies are common ornamental plants that are very toxic to cats. We frequently see this type of poisoning around the Easter holiday. Ingestion of either the leaves or flowers can cause toxicity. As few as 2 or 3 leaves have been reported to be lethal. Symptoms include vomiting, depression, and kidney failure, leading to death. Dogs only tend to have mild stomach upset from ingestion of lilies. If you own cats, avoid lilies!