Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet

- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms) Theobromine, a component of chocolate, is the toxic compound in chocolate
- 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 (Ingestion of Slug Bait requires IMMEDIATE
VETERINARY MEDICAL ATTENTION!! )

Cold Weather Hazards

- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Ice melting products

- Rat and mouse bait  (WARFARIN INGESTION REQUIRES IMMEDIATE  VETERINARY MEDICAL ATTENTION!!)

THE MOST POISONOUS PLANTS TO YOUR PET

Marijuana
Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.

Sago Palm
All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney
damage could result.

Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea
poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects—including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

Castor Bean
The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Cyclamen
Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including
intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.

Kalanchoe
This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.

Yew
Taxus spp. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and
cardiac failure, which can result in death.

  

Medication

Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:

- Pain killers (Ibuprofen, aspirin)
- Cold medicines
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Antidepressants
- Vitamins
- Diet Pills

Information About Pet Health

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

Be Prepared!

Keep the telephone number of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center—

(888) 426-4435— As well as the number for your primary veterinarian! (If you have a Home Again microchip in your pet, there is no charge for calling the poison hotline number)

Invest in an emergency first-aid kit for your pet. The kit should contain:
- a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP (to induce vomiting)
- a turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe (to administer peroxide)
- saline eye solution
- artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing)
- mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid (for bathing an animal after skin contamination)
- forceps (to remove stingers)
- a muzzle (to protect against fear- or excitement-induced biting)
- a can of your pet’s favorite wet food
-a  pet carrier

Always consult a veterinarian or the ASPCA for directions on how and when to use any emergency first-aid item!

Referenced: www.aspca.org

SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR!

*Vomitting and/or diarrhea

*Seizures

*Lethargy/sleepiness

*Disorientation/dizziness

*Frequent urination

*Excessive thirst

*Muscle spasms