If your animal ingests any toxic or questionable item, immediately call our emergency phone line at (406) 862-3178 to speak to an on-call veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Help Center at (888) 426-4435.
With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2008, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products. Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe.
| Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet | Warm Weather Hazards | Medications |
| People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and certain citrus fruit can seriously harm our furry friends. One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.
Human foods to avoid: |
In our effort to battle home invasions of unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our pets at risk. One of the most common incidents involves misuse of flea and tick products. Always consult your vet before beginning any flea or tick control.
Warm weather hazards: |
Human medications remain the number one household hazard for pets. The ASPCA handles over 50,000 calls yearly related to drug ingestion.
Dangerous medications: |
| Cold Weather Hazards | Common Household Hazards | Holiday Hazards |
| The ASPCA received 8,000+ calls related to rodent poison consumption. Many baits are appealing to pets.
Cold weather risks: |
Household chemical hazards can cause burns, respiratory distress, and GI upset.
Common hazards: |
Holiday plants and décor pose major risks.
Holiday hazards: |
| Non-toxic substances | ||
| These items are generally non-toxic but may cause mild digestive upset: Water-based paints Toilet bowl water Silica gel Poinsettia Cat litter Glue traps Glow sticks Ant baits |
Visit www.aspca.org/apcc to learn how to poison proof your home.