Pet Poison: Prevention at Home

by: Adriane Lea Compston & Emmye M. Griffin
Provided by: American College of Veterinary Pharmacists & Stark Edler Apothecary

There are many things that you can do at home to help protect your pet from accidental poisoning. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has many suggestions to safeguard your pet’s surroundings. You should familiarize yourself with human foods that should never be fed to pets. Examples of foods that can be especially harmful include avocado, chocolate, macadamia nuts, onions, xylitol (artificial sweetener often found in sugar-free gum), raisins, and grapes.

Outdoor hazards that pet parents need to be aware of include swimming pool treatment supplies, blue-green algae on standing water, cocoa mulch, fertilizers, poisonous animals, citronella candles, antifreeze, de-icing products, and pest and insect baits. Indoor hazards that many people may not realize pose a threat to their pets include medications, fabric softener sheets, pennies produced after 1982 (high zinc content), electrical cords, holiday wrapping supplies, batteries, and glass Christmas ornaments.

Toxic to Pets
On the other hand, many things that people may perceive to be extremely hazardous to their pets, are actually non-toxic to animals. These include: water-based paints, silica gel, poinsettia plants, cat litter, glow jewelry, and glue traps. These items may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but are not life-threatening. If pet parents would take a few minutes to examine their homes for potential hazards to their pets, many accidental injuries could be avoided and hundreds of animal lives could be saved each year.

Stark Elder was founded by Howard Stark R.Ph.,FACA, who specialized in compounding for over 20 years. Debra Edler R.Ph., FACA, is the current owner. She has been the Pharmacist in Charge for more than 12 years. Stark Edler Apothecary’s team of knowledgeable pharmacists and technicians provide the best pharmaceutical and compounding services for you, your children and your pets. Stark Edler Apothecary is located in the Quivira Medical Plaza, 10600 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66215. Debra can be reached at (913) 541-5050 or  HYPERLINK "mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Top 10 Pet Poisons
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) published a list of the top hazards that pet owners need to be aware of in their homes.
1. Human Medications — The ASPCA recommends keeping pill vials off counters and nightstands and instead keep them in areas non-accessible to pets.
2. Insecticides — Many insecticide hazards are related to improper usage of topical flea and tick treatments. Common mishaps are using the wrong product for the wrong species, so always read the directions before applying any of these products to your pets.
3. People Food — While most pet owners are aware that chocolate poses a danger to their furry friends, many people do not realize foods like avocados, grapes, raisins, artificial sweeteners, and certain nuts can be very harmful to pets.
4. Plants — The top five poisonous plants are lilies, azaleas, oleander, Sago Palms, and the castor bean plant. Ingestion of even a small amount of these plants can be quite harmful to pets. Pet owners should check with a reliable source before purchasing plants to ensure they are not potentially harmful to their pets.
5. Veterinary Medications — This is due to both accidental ingestion and misdosing of medications by pet owners.
6. Rodenticides — These toxins are often flavored in a way that is attractive to our pets, even though they are intended for the demise of pests.
7. Household Cleaners — One common cause of toxicity from household cleaners is the inhalation of harmful fumes, as we often forget to remove our pets from the areas we are cleaning.
8. Heavy Metals — Paint chips, lead dust, linoleum, and other metal-containing items in older homes are often ingested by pets, which could lead to serious events if not treated.
9. Garden Products — Fertilizer can make your yard and pet turn green. Common adverse events related to fertilizer exposure include stomach upset and possible gastrointestinal obstruction.
10. Chemical Hazards — Items that are the culprits in this group include ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners, and pool chemicals. Some of the side effects that pets may experience
include stomach upset, depression, chemical burns, and respiratory difficulties.