In honor of Pet Poison Awareness Month, it’s a perfect time to discuss how to prevent accidental pet poisoning and common household dangers. At Maple Grove Pet Hospital, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly a pet can get into trouble.
As any pet owner knows, pets are great at getting into things they shouldn’t get into. Unfortunately, because of their natural curiosity, pet poison emergencies often result—with about 16.8% of poisoning exposures being caused by ingesting over-the-counter (OTC) medicines like supplements, vitamins, and ibuprofen. Chocolate is another significant culprit of pet poisoning, making up 13% of exposures in 2023.
Grover—a lovable Labrador—is a great example of this natural curiosity in action. However, his story offers us more than just a cautionary tale of every pet owner’s worries—his story offers us the chance for greater pet poison awareness and prevention.
Grover’s Story
Our pets’ curiosity and energetic nature are excellent, but they make it essential for owners to be very aware of the toxicity of our household products. Here’s a quick look at how one dog, Grover, had two pet poisoning incidents and how his owner acted in response.
Incident #1: The Chocolate Poisoning
Grover’s first incident involved chocolate, a well-known toxin for dogs. Despite his owners’ efforts to keep it out of reach, Grover consumed a large quantity of 60% cocoa chocolate chips. Thankfully, his owner is a veterinarian at Maple Grove Pet Hospital and knew that they had to induce vomiting as soon as they found out about the incident. Recognizing the danger, his owners acted fast and were able to get the chocolate out of his system before it was absorbed.
If they hadn’t been as knowledgeable as they were or acted so quickly, Grover could have suffered life-threatening heart-rate changes, hyperthermia, and even seizures. If you notice your dog has gotten into some chocolate, and get your pet to the vet right away.
Incident #2: Xylitol Danger
Not long after the chocolate incident, Grover had another emergency. This time, he ate an entire bottle of sugar free gum, which contained xylitol—a highly toxic ingredient for dogs. Because he ate such a large amount of xylitol, he collapsed and began seizing. With quick intervention, the veterinary team at Maple Grove Pet Hospital was able to stabilize his blood sugar levels and prevent further complications.
Common Causes of a Pet Poison Emergency
Because of the prevalence of toxic substances in our households, encounters with toxins—such as those in Grover’s story—are more common than one may think. Here are some of the most common causes of pet poisoning:
Toxic Foods
Many common household ingredients and snacks are highly toxic to dogs. Below is a list of some of the most toxic foods and their effects on pets if ingested.
- Chocolate: Ingesting chocolate may cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death (in severe cases) for dogs.
- Grapes & Raisins: Grapes and raisins may cause sudden kidney failure.
- Xylitol (often in sugar-free gum, candies, & peanut butter): This ingredient, found in many products, can cause dangerously low blood sugar and potential liver failure. Xylitol can also be commonly referred to as birch sugar, wood sugar, or birch bark extract.
- Onions & Garlic: These seemingly harmless ingredients can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
- Alcohol & Caffeine: These may induce nervous system depression, vomiting, & abnormal heart rates
Household Cleaners
Many household cleaners are often kept where they’re easy for us humans to reach, but if they aren’t stored properly, your pets can get to them, too. Here are some common household cleaners we should ensure are far away from our pets.
- Bleach & Disinfectants: These may cause severe burns in the mouth and digestive tract.
- Laundry & Dish Detergents: Laundry and dish detergents can induce foaming in the stomach.
- Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners: These can cause skin irritation and respiratory stress.
- Magic Erasers: Although dogs mistakenly ingest because it tastes sweet, it can cause severe gastrointestinal upset.
Medications
Small pills and sugary vitamins easily end up in your dog’s mouth if left within reach—especially if your dog has a sweet tooth. Here are some common medications that are toxic to pets and their effects if ingested.
- Ibuprofen & Acetaminophen: These common pain medications may cause your dog’s organs to fail if ingested.
- Antidepressants & Sleep Aids: Antidepressants and sleep aids can induce neurological symptoms like seizures.
- Prescription Heart Medications: If accidentally ingested, these may cause your dog’s blood pressure to become dangerously low.
Household Plants
Sprucing up your house with plants is always a good idea; just be sure to check their toxicity level. Here are a few toxic plants to ensure are out of reach of your pets.
- Lilies: Lilies are highly toxic to cats and can lead to kidney failure if ingested.
- Pothos & Philodendrons: These common houseplants can cause mouth irritation and digestive distress.
- Sago Palm: Sago palm can cause severe liver failure in dogs.
Common Signs of Poisoning in Pets
It is essential to act quickly if your pet exhibits signs of poisoning. If you remember Grover’s story, he survived and recovered because his owners were knowledgeable and reacted quickly, getting him to the vet for help as soon as possible.
Therefore, in order to act quickly, here are some signs of potential pet poisoning all owners should be aware of:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Seizures or tremors
- Lethargy or weakness
- Loss of coordination
- Increased thirst or urination
- Pale or yellow gums (possible liver damage)
What To Do if Your Pet is Poisoned
When you notice signs of potential pet poisoning, it’s important that your first step is staying calm. Pets receive a lot of their emotional cues from their owners. Help them feel comfortable as you take action to get them the help they need. Here are a few steps you can take if you begin to notice signs of potential pet poisoning:
Take immediate action if you suspect toxic exposure:
- Stay calm: It’s essential to act quickly and rationally
- Remove your pet from the source: Prevent further ingestion
- Identify the toxin: Note what they ate, how much, and when
- Call a pet poison hotline and your vet immediately:
- Pet Poison Helpline– 1-855-764-7661 (Available 24/7, consultation fee applies)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control – 1-888-426-4435 (Available 24/7, consultation fee applies)
- Follow veterinary instructions: Inducing vomiting may be advised but should only be done under veterinarian guidance
Ensure a Toxic-Free Environment for Your Pets—Contact Us Today
Our urgent vet care services at Maple Grove Pet Hospital prioritizes pet safety and is committed to providing quality, urgent pet care. Our team is here to help if your pet has ingested something toxic or you’re worried that they have. Our commitment to personalized and preventative care means we’re here to ensure your home and surrounding areas are safe and as toxicity-free as possible for your pets.
Schedule an appointment today to discuss poison prevention strategies and regular dog wellness exams to keep your beloved pet safe and healthy year-round.