Keep these Toxins Out of Your Pet's Reach

At Dessau Veterinary Clinic, we sometimes see cats and dogs who have had a reaction to toxic substances that they ingested in the home. Our animal hospital staff and veterinarians, Dr. Kellee Campbell and Dr. Susan Waage wanted to warn pet owners about toxic substances that are in most households. Fortunately with a little bit of planning and these tips from our Austin animal clinic, you can keep your pet safe and reduce the risk of toxic ingestion.

Five Household Items Toxic to Your Pet

1. Antifreeze (Ethylene glycol) is highly toxic to pets. Ethylene glycol tastes quite sweet and tends to entice dogs or cats due to that fact. Even the ingestion of a minute amount of this substance can cause kidney failure and could even lead to pet death. Antifreeze should always be stored in a locked area that the pet cannot access. Pet owners should also monitor their driveways for Antifreeze leaks from their vehicle.

2. Household Cleaners: This is a broad category but pet owners should always err on the side of caution and lock away all household cleaners of any type. Many household cleaners contain chemicals that are poisonous for animals, and ingestion can lead to vomiting, muscle twitches, swelling, breathing problems, seizures, and potential death.

3. Indoor Plants: Many pet owners are surprised to learn that house plants can be toxic to dogs and cats. Our Pflugerville animal hospital has seen cases of pet poisoning by indoor plants such as Lilies, spider plants, many types of ivy, and even the bulbs of flowers that have not yet sprouted. Keep all plants and flowers well out of pet range to be on the safe side.

4. Medications: This applies to both your medication and any medications you may have for your animals. Keep all your pill bottles, pill containers, or medications such as vitamins safely stowed away in a cabinet where pets cannot access them.

5. Gasoline: If you keep gasoline anywhere in the home, such as fuel for a heater, this must be kept far away from your pets. The fumes of gasoline can be damaging by themselves, but when the pet ingests gasoline it can be potentially deadly. Never assume that just because a substance doesn't have a good smell that your pet will avoid it -- pets are sometimes just curious and can get into nearly anything!

Our Austin veterinarians are very pleased to serve as your animal care providers. Part of our service to you is helping you prevent problems and emergencies, which is why we talked toxins in today's blog.

What other toxic substances do you keep out of your pet's reach?