There are many everyday substances that just don’t mix with our canines. Many of the items on the list below are widely known, however, there are a few on the list that are new. With spring rolling around the corner and activities increasing with our canines, it might be a good idea to review the list of Dog Dangers.

 

To protect your pet, simply use common sense and take the same precautions you would with a child. Although rodent poisons and insecticides are the most common sources of companion animal poisoning, the following list of less common but potentially toxic agents should be avoided if at all possible.

 

ITEMS DANGEROUS TO DOGS

 

Gorilla Glue – a brand of multipurpose polyurethane adhesive, is typically used in carpentry as a gap-filling wood glue. When it’s ingested, it swells to many times the original size, creating a larger hardened mass. To dogs it is sweet and has the consistency of honey.

 

Cocoa bean mulch: It’s becoming common to mulch a garden with the fragrant spent shells of cocoa beans. But just like chocolate, dogs like to eat them, and they are toxic.

 

Pesticides and herbicides: Even when these chemicals aren’t lethal, there are some long-term health concerns, such as cancer. If your pet is exposed, wash them with soap and water immediately and call your veterinarian.

 

Lawn fertilizers: These are very toxic to pets. Store fertilizers in a place far from where your dog or cat — and children — can get at it. After applying it to your lawn, follow manufacturer instructions on how long you should wait before allowing your pet into the area. 

 

Antifreeze – contains ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that attracts animals but is deadly if consumed in even small quantities; one teaspoon can kill a seven-pound cat. Look for antifreeze that contains propylene glycol, which is safe for animals if ingested in small amounts. Ethylene glycol can also be found in common household products like snow globes, so be sure to keep these things out the reach of animals.

 

De-icing salts used to melt snow and ice are paw irritants that can be poisonous if licked off. Paws should be washed and dried as soon as the animal comes in from the snow. Other options include doggie boots with Velcro straps to protect Fido’s feet, and making cats indoor pets.

 

Human medications such as pain killers (including aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen), cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins, and diet pills can all be toxic to animals. Keep medication containers and tubes of ointments and creams away from pets who could chew through them, and be vigilant about finding and disposing of any dropped pills.

 

Pennies are another danger to dogs worth mentioning. Those dated after 1981 are made from zinc with a thin copper coating. A dog swallowing just one of these pennies can suffer damage to red blood cells and kidney failure, due to zinc poisoning.

 

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, cats, and ferrets.

 

Alcohol can cause breathing difficulties, abnormal blood acidity, coma and death in dogs.

 

Avocados contain persin which can cause digestive upsets and heart problems.

 

Bones may splinter and puncture or obstruct the digestive tract.

 

Broccoli in large amounts can cause illness in dogs.

 

Coffee and tea all contain stimulants that cause abnormal heartbeat, seizures and death in dogs.

 

Corn on the cob is dangerous. Even though the corn will be digested, chunks of cob may obstruct the digestive tract

 

Grapes and raisins contain an unknown substance that causes kidney failure in dogs.

 

Liver in large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity.

 

Macadamia nuts contain an unidentified toxin that causes weakness, tremors, panting and swelling in the legs.

 

Walnuts may have a fungus or mold which causes drooling, jaundice, lack of coordination, and vomiting.

 

Milk is difficult for some dogs to digest effectively, which leads to G.I. upsets.

 

Mushrooms and molds can be toxic to dogs. Some varieties are more toxic than others.

 

Nutmeg is a seasoning that causes tremors, seizures, and death in dogs.

 

Onions and garlic, both cooked and raw, contain thiosulphate which can cause digestive upsets, hemolytic anemia, and death. Onions contain more of the toxin than garlic does.

 

Raw egg whites contain avidin which causes B vitamin deficiency, skin problems and skeletal deformities Raw eggs can also harbor salmonella or e.coli.

 

Raw fish, especially salmon, may contain parasites that are dangerous for dogs.

 

Seeds and fruit pits can cause choking or intestinal blockages and some contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs.

 

Xylitol causes an insulin reaction in dogs which can lead to liver failure within a few days. It’s found in many candies, gums, toothpastes, and pastries.

 

Greasy, fatty table scraps can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused when too much digestive enzyme is produced. Affected dogs may have bloody vomit or diarrhea and suffer dehydration and even death.

 

Poisonous household plants include azalea, geraniums, dieffenbachia (dumb cane), lilies, mistletoe, and philodendron, among others.

 

Rawhide doggie chews may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can infect pets and humans who come in contact with the chews. These kinds of chews should be offered to a pet only with supervision, as they can pose a choking hazard as well.

 

String, yarn, rubber bands, and even dental floss are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation.

 

Toys with removable parts—like squeaky toys or stuffed animals with plastic eyes—can pose a choking hazard to animals. Take the same precautions with pets as you would with a small child.

 

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, make the call that can make all the difference: (888) 426-4435. A $60 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

 

Have you heard that a specific product or substance could be dangerous to your pets? Experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center set the record straight. For example the Swiffer Wet Jet is NOT dangerous to pets. The Swiffer Wet Jet system contains 90- to 100-percent water, propylene glycol n-butyl ether or propylene glycol n-propyl ether, and isopropyl alcohol (1 to 4 percent). These ingredients are safe to use around pets when used according to label directions, and would not cause liver damage at product concentrations. Propylene glycol n-butol/propyl ether differs significantly from ethylene glycol, the potentially toxic ingredient present in most antifreeze products that can cause kidney, not liver, failure.

For more product information click the following link.

 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-poison-control/cleaning-products-2.html