Common Household Pet Poisons

In many ways, your pets are like your children. They're curious, sometimes mischievous, and will eat anything they can get their mouths on. As a pet owner, it's important to know the foods and household items that can poison your animals. Sometimes they're things you never would have guessed were harmful.

  1. Poisons, Insecticides and Household Chemicals

    • Rodent poisons and insecticides are the leading cause of pet poisonings, according to The Humane Society. Be sure to keep all poisons and insect sprays in a locked cabinet. If you hire exterminators, be sure to ask them about any chemicals they will use. Be aware that your pet can be poisoned, not just by ingesting the chemical itself, but also by eating a rodent that died by poisoning. Lawn care products and household cleaners are also potentially lethal to pets, if ingested, and though pets like the taste of antifreeze, even a small amount can kill them, if it contains ethylene glycol.

    Plants

    • Beautiful plants and flowers can be ugly to your pets. Your cheerful spring daffodils and lilies can harm your cat. "A cat that eats an Easter lily will die unless it receives prompt medical attention," according to Dr. Steve Hansen, senior vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Other toxic plants include philodendrons, dieffenbachia, cyclamen, corn stalk plants, sago palms and bird of paradise.

    Foods

    • One of the reasons vets tell pet owners not to feed their animals table scraps is that some of our favorite foods can sicken or even kill them. For example, an apple can poison your dog or cat. Its leaves and seeds contain cyanide. Chocolate, according to the ASPCA, can cause your pet "vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures." Grapes, raisins, avocados, coffee, onions or garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol and raw or undercooked meat are just some of the foods the ASPCA lists as dangerous to your pet.

    Human Medications

    • Human medications have been No. 1 spot on the ASPCA's list of common dangers for several years. Dogs often chew pill bottles open, and cats swallow pills that drop on the floor. It's important to keep all drugs, even over-the-counter varieties, safely locked away.

    If Your Pet is Poisoned

    • If you think you pet has been poisoned, the ASPCA advises taking a few moments to collect the ingested material in a plastic bag, so you can show the vet what your pet ate. If your pet vomits, collect this as well; it will help the vet determine what your pet ate, if you're not sure. The ASPCA notes that an animal may appear normal for hours or even days after ingesting toxins, and that it's safest not to go by appearances. Take your pet to a vet immediately, if you have reason to suspect poisoning.