Household Poisons
Unless you know that a product is safe, treat it as a potential poison.
PhotoDisc/Getty Images
Not all products that are poisonous to a dog are labeled as toxic. And some things that are safe for humans, such as medications and onions, can be deadly for your pet. Your dog doesn't necessarily have to eat or drink something to ingest it. Whatever his paws or body come into contact with can be swallowed when he is grooming himself. Unless you know that a product is safe, treat it as a potential poison. Store it in a tightly sealed container in a securely closed cabinet, preferably out of your dog's reach and line of sight. Post the phone numbers of your vet, an emergency vet clinic, and an animal poison control center. If your dog shows signs of poisoning, such as trouble breathing, seizures, a rapid or slow heartbeat, drowsiness, drooling, or bleeding from the anus, mouth or nose, try to determine exactly what substance he ingested and call for help. If you have the offending product, the package may contain vital information; have it on hand for the call and take it with you to the vet. Keep a supply of syrup of ipecac, but do not make your dog vomit unless you are advised to do so. in some cases, regurgitation can worsen the problem; caustic substances can burn your dog's throat and mouth on the way back up.
The following list gives an idea of the sorts of dangerous products that must be kept out of the reach of your dog's curious paws, nose or tongue. Along with the basic principles of dog-proofing, this list should enable you to make your house safer for your canine friend.
Toxic Products
- acetaminophen
- acetone
- ant/bug traps and baits
- anti-flea treatments
- antifreeze
- antihistamines
- anti-rust agents
- antiseptics
- arsenic
- aspirin (ASA)
- bath oil
- battery acid
- bleach
- boric acid
- brake fluid
- carbolic acid (phenol)
- carburetor cleaner
- chocolate (especially dark or bitter types)
- cleaning products
- crayons and pastels
- dandruff shampoo
- de-icers (to melt snow)
- deodorants
- deodorizers
- detergents
- diet pills
- disinfectants
- drain cleaner and opener
- dry-cleaning fluid
- dyes
- fertilizer
- fire-extinguisher foam
- fireworks
- fungicides
- furniture polish
- gasoline and motor oil
- glue and paste
- hair coloring
- heart pills
- herbicides
- ibuprofen
- insect and moth repellents
- insecticides/pesticides
- kerosene
- laxatives
- lead (also found in paint, ceramic and linoleum)
- lighter fluid
- liniments
- lye
- matches
- medications
- mercury
- metal polish
- mineral spirits
- mothballs and repellents
- nail polish and remover
- onions
- pain relievers
- paint
- paint remover and thinner
- perfume
- permanent-wave lotion
- photographic developers
- pine-based cleaners
- pine-oil products
- plaster and putty
- rat/rodent poisons
- road salt
- rubbing alcohol
- rust remover
- shoe dye and polish
- sleeping pills
- snail or slug bait
- soap and shampoo
- solder
- solvents (e.g. turpentine)
- stain removers
- swimming pool products
- suntan lotion with cocoa butter
- toilet bowl cleaners
- weed killers
- windshield-washer fluid
- wood preservatives
Find Your Perfect Pet
Comments ( )