GCVSER

Care Tips and Articles

Common Household Hazards*

• Antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that attracts animals but is deadly if consumed in even small quantities: one teaspoonful can kill a seven-pound cat.
• Chemicals used on lawns and gardens, such as fertilizer and plant food.
• Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, cats, and ferrets.
• De-icing salts used to melt snow and ice are paw irritants and can be poisonous if licked off.
• Insect control products, such as the insecticides used in many over-the-counter flea and tick remedies, may be toxic to companion animals. Prescription flea and tick control products are much safer and more effective.
• Fumes from Nonstick cooking surfaces and self-cleaning ovens can be deadly to birds.
• Human medications such as painkillers (including aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen), cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins, and diet pills can all be toxic to animals. Keep medication containers and tubes of ointments and creams away from pets who could chew through them, and be vigilant about finding and disposing of any dropped pills.
• Leftovers such as chicken bones easily shatter and can choke a cat or dog. Other human foods to keep away from pets include onions and onion powder; alcoholic beverages; yeast dough; coffee grounds and beans; salt; macadamia nuts; tomato; potato, and rhubarb leaves and stems; and anything with mold growing on it.
• Poisonous household plants include azalea, geraniums, dieffenbachia (dumb cane). Lilies, mistletoe, philodendron, and poinsettia among others.

*from the Humane Society of the United States at www.hsus.org