Never would you ever purposefully purchase a house plant that could hurt your furbaby. The same goes with your cleaning supplies, grocery purchases, and filled prescriptions. Yet, the number of reported cases a year in which pets are poisoned still remains around 100,000. (With over 150,000 calls to the pet poison hotline each year.)

As animal lovers, we need to take a few minutes every month to reevaluate our homes, yards, and even our cars for items that may harm our furry friends. 

What you should look for, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

 5 Most Common Pet Poisons  

Human Medications

Prescriptions for:

• Pain Medicine
• Anti-Inflammatories
• Antidepressants
• Blood Pressure Medications 

Over-the-Counter Medications:

• Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen (Advil, Alleve)
• Joint Supplements
• Herbal Supplements

Can cause the following:

• Stomach Ulcers
• Intestinal Ulcers
• Kidney Failure
• Vomiting
• Serotonin Syndrome
• Seizures
• Death

All to often, a pill bottle is left on the countertop without a second thought, especially if children are not present in the home. However, an animal may decide that the bottle would make a great chew toy. It only takes a few bites before it is cracked and the medication inside is easily accessible. Unlike humans, the amount an animal ingests may not determine the severity of the reaction. Even a small amount can be harmful. Keep your medications behind a closed door. 

Pet Medications/Recommendations

Pain Killers and De-Wormers top the list of prescribed pet medications that can be toxic to your furbaby. However, most people aren’t aware that the flea and tick preventatives can be just as scary. Problems occur when an animal ingests these topical solutions, or when too much is used in one treatment.

Household Chemicals/Products

• Insecticides 
• Rodenticides
• Cleaning products (bleach, laundry detergents, dishwasher detergents, window cleaners, and bathroom cleaners)
• Heavy metals (like lead and zinc) such as paint chips or pennies
• Fertilizer contains phosphorus and nitrogen with chemicals for insect and weed problems.
• Antifreeze
• De-icers 
• Batteries
• Fabric
• Softener sheets

Foods

• Chocolate (Dark chocolate and cooking chocolate rank highest in harm.)   
• Coffee
• Grapes (and raisins)
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions 
• Garlic 
• Alcohol

Plants

• Autumn Crocus
• Azalea
• Cyclamen
• Kalanchoe
• Lilies
• Oleander
• Dieffenbachia
• Daffodils
• Lily of the Valley
• Sago Palm
• Tulips and Hycinths