COMMON PET POISONS TO AVOID
Did you know that many common household items, that are safe for people, are toxic to pets?
Despite owners’ best efforts, pets’ natural curiosity makes it easy for them to encounter substances that are dangerous to them! By learning about these common pet poisons and the signs of poisoning, you can help to keep your pet is safe.
Never ‘watch and wait’ if you suspect your pet has been poisoned. Act fast and contact the Animal PoisonLine or us for advice immediately. In most cases, the sooner your pet receives treatment, the better their chances of recovery.
HUMAN FOODS
- Chocolate and caffeine
Both chocolate (which contains a stimulant called theobromine) and caffeine (found in coffee and tea, energy drinks and supplements/ medication) are poisonous to cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pigs. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to pets. Signs of poisoning usually appear within one to four hours and include vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst and urination, lack of co-ordination, restlessness, tremors, excessive salivating, and high heart rate. Treatment is usually successful.
- Grapes, raisins, and currants
Grapes, raisins, currants, and foods containing them, such as cereals and cakes, are toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets. The most common sign of toxicity is vomiting, usually occurring within 24 hours, followed by lethargy, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, and abnormal drinking or urination. The odds of recovery depend on the quantity consumed and the speed of treatment. With aggressive treatment, recovery is possible, but if kidney damage occurs, it can be life-threatening.
- Onions and garlic
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are toxic to pets in any form. Ingestion can lead to vomiting, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea, sometimes within 24 hours but more often after several days. With prompt treatment, most pets will recover well.
- Salt
Consuming too much salt, present in various sources such as table salt, rock salt, playdough, and bath products, can be harmful to pets. The initial symptom of salt poisoning is vomiting, which can occur within minutes. This is often followed by diarrhoea, lethargy and weakness, excessive thirst and urination, lack of coordination, tremors, and rapid breathing. While most pets recover well with prompt treatment, severe cases can be fatal.
- Alcohol
Ethanol, found in alcoholic drinks, hand sanitizer, and mouthwash, is poisonous to pets. Other sources of ethanol poisoning include perfumes and raw fermenting bread dough. Symptoms of ethanol poisoning typically appear within one or two hours and include vomiting, diarrhoea, agitation, lack of coordination, and drowsiness. Most pets recover well with treatment.
- Xylitol
Xylitol, also known as birch sugar, is an artificial sweetener commonly found in chewing gum, toothpaste, and some sweet baked goods like biscuits and cakes. It is highly toxic to dogs, causing a rapid drop in blood sugar. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning, which typically appear within one to 12 hours, include disorientation, vomiting, a high heart rate, drowsiness, and seizures. In severe cases, it can lead to liver failure. While most pets recover well with aggressive treatment, liver failure, although less common, can be potentially fatal.
AROUND THE HOUSE
- Human medication
Whilst some human medication may be given under veterinary supervision (at the correct dosage), in general human medication is poisonous to our pets. This is because a pet’s body cannot break down certain chemicals found in human medicine, like acetaminophen. As a result, the chemicals attach to the liver and slowly destroy it. Signs of poisoning usually appear within two hours and include vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, lethargy and weakness, abdominal pain, and rapid or laboured breathing. Early treatment typically leads to a good recovery, depending on the medication ingested, but poisoning can be fatal in severe cases.
- Vitamin D
Excessive doses of vitamin D, commonly found in skin creams, cod liver oil, and supplement tablets, can cause poisoning in pets. Symptoms, which usually appear within six to 12 hours, include weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst and urination, and loss of appetite. The chances of recovery vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and how quickly treatment is administered.
- Cigarettes and e-cigarettes (vapes)
Nicotine is very harmful to pets. Signs of ingestion typically appear within 15 to 90 minutes and include vomiting, excessive salivation, lack of coordination, tremors, and rapid breathing followed by slower or shallow breathing. Chances of recovery are generally good with prompt treatment.
- Household cleaners and DIY products
Most cleaning and DIY products, such as paint and paint thinner, can be dangerous to pets. They can be exposed directly by licking or swallowing a product, or indirectly through contact with their coat, skin, paws, or by inhaling chemical fumes. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, increased salivation, lack of coordination, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Most pets respond well to treatment.
OUTDOOR POISONS
- Plant bulbs/leaves
The bulbs of many plants, such as hyacinths, bluebells, daffodils, and tulips, contain toxins that are poisonous to dogs and cats. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and lethargy within a few hours. These symptoms are typically mild, and most pets recover well. However, lilies are particularly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
- Garden chemicals
Common garden chemicals such as fertilizers and weed killer contain compounds like glyphosate which are harmful to animals. Signs of poisoning can appear within 30 minutes and include excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, lack of coordination, lethargy and eye and skin irritation. Most pets recover well with treatment.
- Antifreeze
Antifreeze is poisonous to most animals and even tiny amounts can cause kidney failure and prove fatal. Signs of poisoning can appear in as little as 30 minutes, with symptoms such as vomiting, lack of co-ordination, weakness, seizures, rapid breathing and increased thirst and urination. Antifreeze poisoning can be life-threatening, and immediate treatment is required for the best chances of recovery.
- Rat/mouse poisons (rodenticides)
Rodent poisons interfere with blood clotting in animals, and different poisons have different toxicity levels. It can take three to five days to show, which are commonly laboured or rapid breathing, lethargy, weakness, lack of appetite and coordination, and abdominal pain. The recovery rate is good with immediate treatment.
ANIMAL POISONLINE
Run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), the Animal POISONLine is a 24-hour emergency telephone service dedicated to helping pet owners who are worried their pet may have been exposed to something harmful or poisonous.
They have experience of thousands of toxic substances in all animals and cover everything from human drugs, household and garden products, plants, agricultural chemicals to venomous bites and stings.
Based on the information you provide, their vets and scientists will be able to tell you if you need to go to the vets for immediate treatment, or whether they can save you the trip.
You can call 01202 509000, 24 hours a day if you are concerned about your pet. Calls cost £35 between Monday- Friday 8am to 8pm and £45 at all other times, including bank holidays.
Call the Animal POISONLine
