March 15-21, Animal Poison Prevention Week

 Animal Poison Prevention Week

How to Protect Dogs and Cats

We all love our pets and we do everything we can to keep them healthy. But when was the last time you checked your home for things that are poisonous to them? Don’t worry if this hasn’t been on your mind — March is National Pet Poison Prevention Month and this week is here too so that Pet Parents, in both the United States and Canada can take action!
The truth is, dogs and cats of all ages can easily come into contact with household poisons. Even if you believe your home is secure, all it takes is a small mistake for pets to come into contact with something harmful. To avoid any emergency veterinary visits and potential tragedy, here’s a guide on what this month means along with pet poisoning data, common at-home risks, and how to protect your pal.
If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline right away, further, you can check their website https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/.

According to Trupanion claims data, the most commonly claimed toxicity in pets for the year of 2024 was chocolate ingestion. Food-related pet poisoning cases are likewise more common than those resulting from household cleaners, pharmaceuticals, and pest control products. 

Claims data also shows that puppies and kittens mare than 2 times as likely to have plant-related toxicity claims than their older counterparts! 

What are some of the signs of poisoning?

Poisoning signs in dogs and cats varies and depends on the size of your pet and how much of the poison/substance they have ingested (or come into contact with). Yes! Skin contact can be potentially harmful especially with chemicals. If your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s time to seek medical care:

Vomiting or gagging
Diarrhea
Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Convulsions
Difficulty breathing
Swelling
Fainting / losing consciousness
Extreme fatigue or malaise
Change in color of gums or mucous membranes
Change in personality / erratic behavior
Loss of coordination or “drunken” behavior

Your pet may exhibit no signs of poisoning if they’ve only just come into contact with something harmful. But don’t wait for them to start getting sick — err on the side of caution and get veterinary attention right away. Do not induce vomiting in your pet unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinary team.

5 Pet Poison Prevention Tips

1. Secure common household poisons 

2. Clean up before leaving an area unattended (even in the kitchen!) 

3. Talk with your veterinarian
We live in a remote area, If you are not sure about something, ask your veterinarian! They may have important information about nearby emergency services for pets as well as the most common risks in your area. It’s also a good idea to ask for additional tips on how you can best help your particular pet in the event of a potential poisoning. 

4. Get the whole family on board, children may need multiple reminders about not leaving potential hazards out or not sharing food with dogs and cats. 

5.Prepare for emergencies
The following are not just about Poison. 

We have a pet first aid bag/kit as part of our Go Bag. There is also a smaller bag/kit in each vehicle. It also includes a towel that can be used to carry the dog (if necessary)

Know where to get treatment for your Pet! For us, the closest vet (after hours) is a 2 hour drive. 

Add all the numbers to your phone!