Spring Toxins: Be Aware, How to Prepare.

Well I didn't post in March, but I'll make up for that by posting 2 blogs in April. This month I want to talk about potential Spring toxins that can harm our pets. With a change in the season comes an all new onslaught of new toxins and dangers. From plants to decorations  to cleaning chemicals, here are some of the things to watch out for:

This one is mainly for the cat owners. Lillies are VERY toxic to cats as you can see in the picture below

With Easter just around the corner, please be extra vigilant about Lilies during this time of year. 
Speaking of East here is a quick reference picture of some Easter toxins for dogs and cats.

I have personal experience with the potential harm of Easter grass. My childhood cat had one year decided that he would eat the plastic grass in my basket. We found he wandering around the house with something funny coming out of his hind-end, oh boy! Clearly he wasn't going to pass it on his own and he had to spend a night or two at the vets office to get it removed. From then on, we told family to only put paper grass in my baskets. He still tried to eat the grass, but at least the paper is somewhat digestible and won't cause and obstruction.

Pet Poison Helpline (petpoisonhelpline.com) has a more complete list of plants that are toxic to pets. Included in the list are tulips, daffodils, corcus, lily of the valley, plus the fertilizers we use. 
Complete List of Toxic Spring Plants 

Also with Spring, comes Spring Cleaning. All cleaning chemicals are dangerous to all pets. Sometimes our pets think that these colorful liquids are fun to drink. Make sure to keep all chemicals out of reach of pets (as well as human children too). If your pet has accidentally ingested a toxic chemical first thing to do is determine what he has ingested and then immediately call a vet. You can also call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4-ANIHELP (426-4435). Observe your pet (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), the vet will want to know what is going on with him.

Here is a quick reference of some of the other toxins year round that could put our pets in danger. Also add dryer sheets to the list.

Of course the best way to keep pets safe this Spring (an any season of the year) is prevention, prevention, prevention. If necessary put baby locks on cabinets if pets won't stay out of the cabinets with dangerous items in them or the trash under the sink. Close doors to keep pets out of rooms that have dangerous items in them. Make sure that if pets are in the garage that spills are cleaned up and nothing is dripping from cars. One or two licks can be deadly. Dog proof gardens to prevent dogs from ingesting plants and other things that can cause them harm.With just a few simple preventative measures, our pets will live long, healthy, toxic free lives.

Also, keep dogs from drinking puddles on the sidewalk or street during your walks. Water runoff can collect any number of toxic chemicals as it pools and can be potentially dangerous if your dog drinks from it. Only let them drink from water bowls/bottles or natural springs/ponds. 

A great thing to have on hand is a Pet Poison Safety Kit (recommended by Pet Sitters International) which should include:

• Fresh bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Can of soft dog or cat food
• Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe
• Saline eye solution
• Artificial tear ointment
• Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid
• Rubber gloves
• Forceps or tweezers to remove stingers or ticks
• Muzzle (or length of gauze)
• Pet carrier

With just a few easy precautions, your pet(s) can have a great spring and a great overall life. It doesn't take a lot of effort to ensure the safety of your pet from toxins and poisons. 

 

Happy Spring!!!