Dogs and Household Toxins

Last Updated on October 28, 2020 by Aimee

Dogs and Household Toxins: Dogs like to things we have touched our frequently use.  Dogs seem to not mind the bitter taste of ibuprofen or a prescription human medication.  Funny how they can pick out a pill hidden in a hot dog and eat everything but the hot, then consume something terrible tasting.  Dog owners need to be as diligent with their dog as they are with their toddler, Dogs have about the same common sense when putting things into their mouth.

Poisons for Dogs

Human and veterinary NSAIDS:

Never give a pain medication to your dog. Common, over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) include drugs such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen can be potentially fatal to your dog.

Antidepressants:

Human antidepressant medication can be very dangerous. All are poisonous to dogs.

• Prozac
• Zoloft
• Effexor
• Cymbalta

Exposure Symptoms

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Hyperthermia
• Diarrhea

Isoniazid:

A tuberculosis drug, is difficult for dogs to process. Even one tablet can cause problems in a small dog.

Exposure Symptoms

• seizures
• coma

Topical spot-on insecticides:

Common flea and tick medications that you can find at your veterinary clinic or at the local pet store are very poisonous if ingested.

Exposure Symptoms

• Severe
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Hyperthermia
• Death is untreated

Household Items:

• Rodent traps and killers
• Radiator cooler – antifreeze
• laundry detergent
• drain cleaners
• concentrated toilet bowl cleaners
• rust removers
• lime-away

Exposure Symptoms

• severe profuse drooling
• chemical burns to the mouth and esophagus,
• difficulty breathing

Human Food

Chocolate

Exposure Symptoms

• Seizures
• Drooling

Grapes

Exposure Symptoms

• Kidney failure

Macadamia nuts

Exposure Symptoms

• Weakness
• Overheating
• Vomiting

Raisins

Exposure Symptoms

• Kidney failure

Avocado

Exposure Symptoms

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Xylitol – substance found in artificial sweeteners

• Rapid drop in blood sugar causing weakness and seizures
• Liver failure

Pits of fruits:

Exposure Symptoms

• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Kidney failure
• Labored breathing
• Weakness

Rat and mouse poison:

Rodenticides, if ingested by dogs, can cause severe problems. The symptoms depend on the nature of the poison, and signs may not start for several days after consumption. In some instances, the dog may have eaten the poisoned rodent, and not been directly exposed to the toxin.

Pet medications

Just as we can be sickened or killed by medications intended to help us, cases of pet poisoning by veterinary drugs are not uncommon. Some of the more commonly reported problem medications include painkillers and de-wormers.

Household plants

Complete list of poisonous plants can be found here: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list

You can also call them at: 1-888-426-4435

Dog can love to get into the dirt of household plants or dig in the garden.

• Azaleas
• rhododendrons
• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Sago palms

Exposure Symptoms

• Vomiting
• stomach problems
• diarrhea
• convulsions
• coma
• heart damage
• potential death
• seizures
• liver failure

Chemicals

• antifreeze
• paint thinner
• chemicals for pools

Exposure symptoms

• stomach upset
• depression
• chemical burns.

Fertilizer

Products for your lawn and garden may be poisonous to pets that ingest them.

A final word about Dogs and Household Toxins…

Help I think my pet ingested poison!

If you think your dog has been poisoned, try to stay calm. It is important to act quickly, but rationally.

First, gather up any of the potential poison that remains — this may be helpful to your veterinarian and any outside experts who assist with the case. If your dog has vomited, collect the sample in case your veterinarian needs to see it. Call your vet and have your pet seen right away.

You can also call the ASPCA poison hotline at 1-888-426-4435