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Know
Which Foods
& Plants can be Poisonous for Cats and Dogs
Have
you taken time to assess your home & yard for potential dangers
that could harm
your four-legged friends?
Take Charge! It's important to know what can be poisonous for cats and
poisonous for dogs if ingested.
Did you know that onions can be extremely
poisonous for cats? If not, then there are probably many other
pet-toxic
substances you're unaware of. Protect your pets from pet
health issues caused by poisoning.
Protecting
pets from ingesting harmful substances is vitally important as a
responsible pet owner; and should never be taken lightly or be
overlooked. Every season of the year poses potential hazards
for your
pets depending on where you live.
The Holidays can be especially challenging since we bring
new foods and holiday ornaments into our homes that can be harmful or
even
fatal to animals.
From Christmas trees with all the trimmings, to Aunt Betty's chocolate
brownies, it's important to be diligent to keep your pets safe during
the holidays.
Below
is a partial list of several potentially hazardous substances according
the ASPCA Poison Control Center. Knowing what's poisonous
for cats as well as dogs is vital in order to provide a
safe environment for your pets all year long.
Have a plan for emergencies and assemble a pet first aid kit for your
home. Educate yourself and your family about animal first aid. Keep the
Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline number in a
visible place
that's easily accessible to all family members in case of
emergency.
If
you suspect
your pet has eaten something harmful, try to note what the substance
is, what amount you're pet may have ingested, and his symptoms before
calling Animal Poison
Control or your veterinarian.
Substances
to keep from your pet's during the
Holiday Season:
- Christmas tree water which can contain
fertilizers, chemicals,
or bacteria
- Electrical cords
- Tinsel, ribbons or glass balls
- Batteries
- Foods and treats left on counters or within
reach of pets
- Rhubarb leaves
- Hollyberry & Chinaberry plants
- Privet berries & leaves
- Red Sage green berries
- Mistletoe berries
- Narcissus
- Oak Acorns and foliage
- Christmas Rose leaves
(roots & sap also)
- Poinsettia leaves & flowers
Foods
Your Pets Need to Avoid
| Food Type: |
When
Ingested May Cause: |
| Chocolate,
Caffeine |
vomiting,
diarrhea, tremors, seizures, possibly death |
| Alcohol |
vomiting,
difficulty breathing, abnormal cell acidity, death |
| Avocado |
contains
Persin; a poisonous substance to pets |
| Macadamia
Nuts |
weakness,
depression, vomiting, hyperthermia, tremors |
| Grapes
& Raisins |
kidney
failure, worse in animals with certain health problems |
| Raw
Yeast Dough |
dough
rises in the stomach causing pain or intestinal rupture |
| Xylitol
Sweetener |
increases
insulin; liver failure, hypoglycemia, seizures, lethargy |
| Onions,
Garlic, Chives |
gastrointestinal
irritation, red blood cell damage |
| Milk
Based Products |
diarrhea
and other digestive upset |
| Salt |
vomiting,
diarrhea, elevated body temperature, seizures, death |
For a
complete list of foods that may be hazardous see:
www.aspca.org
Please Note:
Raw or
undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones -
According to ASPCA information, raw meat & raw eggs can contain
bacteria such as Salmonella
and E.coli
which can be harmful to pets. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin
that decreases the absorption of biotin (Vitamin B), which can lead to
skin and coat problems.
Additionally, while feeding raw bones may appear to seem natural for
dogs, this can be dangerous for
domestic pets. Dogs can easily choke on bones, or be
injured by bone splintering. Bones can
also become lodged in or puncture a pets digestive tract.
Poisonous
Plants to Avoid
| Umbrella
Plant |
Yellow
Jasmine |
Tobacco
leaves |
| Lilies |
Marijuana |
Hyacinth |
| Sago
Palm |
Tulip,
Narcissus bulbs |
Hydrangea
Leaves |
| Oleander |
Azalea,
Rhododendron |
Sweet
pea seeds, pods |
| Castor
Bean |
Cyclamen |
Daffodil |
| Kalanchoe |
Peace
Lily aka
Mauna Loa |
Larkspur |
| Yew |
Amaryllis |
Nightshade |
| Autumn
Crocus |
Chrysanthemum |
Golden
Chain (all parts) |
| English
Ivy |
Pothos |
Buttercup |
| Schefflera |
Bird
of Paradise |
Caladium |
| Wisteria
seeds & pods |
Diffenbachia |
Boston
Ivy |
For complete
list of toxic and non-toxic plants see: www.aspca.org
Be Aware & Be Prepared!
Other common
household toxic substances to keep away from your pets include
anti-freeze, ice melting products, mice & rat
bait, fabric
softener sheets and stagnant toilet
water which contain harmful bacteria.
Pets should never be given human medications in any amount without the
advice of your veterinarian.
Make sure you're aware of what's in your home and around your yard. What you
don't know could harm your pets!

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