Question:
Animal Poison Control Center:
A Poison Safe Home



Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet
- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol

Warm Weather Hazards
- Animal toxins—toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions
- Blue-green algae in ponds
- Citronella candles
- Cocoa mulch
- Compost piles Fertilizers
- Flea products
- Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
- Swimming-pool treatment supplies
- Fly baits containing methomyl
- Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde

Medication
Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:
- Pain killers
- Cold medicines
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Antidepressants
- Vitamins
- Diet Pills

Cold Weather Hazards
- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Ice melting products
- Rat and mouse bait

Common Household Hazards
- Fabric softener sheets
- Mothballs
- Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)

Holiday Hazards
- Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.
- Electrical cords
- Ribbons or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction—most often occurs with kittens!)
- Batteries
- Glass ornaments

Non-toxic Substances for Dogs and Cats
The following substances are considered to be non-toxic, although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals:
- Water-based paints
- Toilet bowl water
- Silica gel
- Poinsettia
- Cat litter
- Glue traps
- Glow jewelry



If You Think Your Animal Is Poisoned…

In spite of your best efforts, your animal may accidentally become poisoned. Being prepared can save your pet’s life.

Know your vet's procedures for emergency situations, especially ones that occur after business hours. Keep phone numbers for your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and a local emergency veterinary service in a convenient location.

Keep a pet poison safety kit on hand for emergencies.
Your kit should contain:
- A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP)
- Can of your pet’s favorite wet food
- Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medical syringe
- Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants
- Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
- Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid for the animal after skin contamination.
- Rubber gloves
- Forceps to remove stingers
- Muzzle (Remember, an excited animal may harm you.)
- Pet carrier

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435.
A consultation fee may apply. When you call the center, please be ready to provide:
* Your name, address and telephone number
* If you know what substance your pet has ingested, have the product container/packaging available for reference. You’ll also need to provide information, if you know it, about the amount ingested and the time since exposure.
* Your pet’s species, breed, age, sex and weight
* All symptoms your pet is experiencing

Answer:
A handy reference - thanks!

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet
- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol
I have a question about the garlic, though. Many people - including my vet and the woman who runs our local pet food shop who has done a lot of research on dog-friendly foods while helping allergic dogs - have told me that garlic is fine. In fact, that dogs love garlic and it is good for them. I also see garlic listed as an ingredient in a few dog foods (Innova is one, Solid Gold Wolf King bison is another).

What do you think?

Answer:
Small quantities are ok.

Answer:
I agree with Prin but I guess it depends on how "holistically" you think:
www.dogicuts.com/index_files/toxic.htm

Answer:
Originally Posted by rainbow
I agree with Prin but I guess it depends on how "holistically" you think:
www.dogicuts.com/index_files/toxic.htm

It seems that everyone has their own opinion...

holistic veterinarians love it, the ASPCA poison control says no way...

Answer:
IMO, holistic vets are generally on a case by case basis, assuming people won't set out to hurt their pets, while the ASPCA is trying to warn the masses who probably wouldn't get info on this stuff otherwise. IMO, it's easier for them to say it's all bad than to tell you how much is ok depending on breed, history, size, etc, and it reduces the risk of somebody misunderstanding.

Answer: