Hundreds of pages and photos of real animal hospital cases The Internet Animal Hospital Dog and Cat Health Care...  written and photographed by veterinarians  in actual animal hospital settings Dog and cat health care articles written by veterinarians ThePetCenter.com is presented to you as a free pet care resource by PetFoodDirect.com and NationalPetPharmacy.com

PETS AND POISONS
Please note!
Information on this page may change without notice to ThePetCenter.com. 
Therefore ThePetCenter.com cautions you to update your own information regarding emergency numbers and contact personnel
 such as your veterinarian, local physician and emergency care offices.

TIPS ABOUT HOUSEHOLD POISONS

Presented by ThePetCenter.com
 With permission from Dana Farbman, Senior
Manager of Client & Professional Relations
 ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

If your pet has come into contact with a potential toxin... 
leave your computer and call your veterinarian immediately!

 Or call the ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER
888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)
$50 fee may be applied to credit card 

Pet Poison Safety Tips

Please follow these guidelines to protect your pet from being exposed.

·       Be aware of the plants you have in your home and yard. The ingestion of azalea, oleander, sago palm, or yew plant material by an animal can be fatal.  Easter lily, day lily, tiger lily, and some other lily species can cause kidney failure in cats. 

·          Never allow your pets to have access to the areas in which cleaning agents are being used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties; some may only cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth and stomach.

·          When using rat, mouse, snail or slug baits, or ant or roach traps, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals. Some bait contains sweet smelling inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter or sugar that can attract your pets.

·          Never give your pet medication unless you are directed to do so by a veterinarian. Many medications that are safe for humans can be deadly for animals.

·          Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your pet's reach, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of human medications that can be lethal to animals, even in small doses. 

·          Many common household items can be hazardous to pets. Mothballs, potpourri oils, coffee grounds, homemade play dough, fabric softener sheets, dishwashing detergent, batteries, cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, pennies, and hand and foot warmers could be dangerous for your pet.

·          Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat weighing seven pounds.

 ·          Before buying a flea product for use on your pet, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. 

·          Read all of the information on the label before using a product on your pet or in your home.  Always follow the directions.

·          If a product is for use only on dogs, it should never be used on cats; if a product is for use only on cats, it should never be used on dogs.

·         Make sure your pets do not enter areas in which foggers or house sprays have been used for the period of time indicated on the label.  Birds are more sensitive to inhalants.  Always check with your veterinarian before using any spray product in your home if you own pet birds.

·          Make sure your pets do not go on lawns or in gardens treated with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides until they have dried completely. Always store such products in areas that are inaccessible to your pets.

 ·          If you are uncertain about the usage of any product, ask the manufacturer and/or your      veterinarian for  instructions.                

                                                                    ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, an operating division of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA) is a unique, emergency hotline providing 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week telephone assistance to veterinarians and pet owners. The Center's hotline veterinarians can quickly answer questions about toxic substances found in our everyday surroundings that can be dangerous to animals. The Center maintains a wide collection of reference materials and computer databases that help provide toxicological information for various species.  Veterinary professionals provide around-the-clock, on-site coverage of the Center. The licensed staff members share over one hundred and ten years of combined call center experience and over seventy-five years of combined toxicology, clinical, and diagnostic experience.  The phone number of the Center is 1-888-4-ANI-HELP (217-337-5030 outside of US and Canada).

Call the ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER
888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)
$50 fee may be applied to credit card 

Email other pet lovers and tell them about ThePetCenter.com