“Don’t eat that! Drop it. Droooop it.” What dog parent hasn’t uttered this phrase at some point in their sweet pup’s life when they’ve chomped onto something that they shouldn’t have? Unfortunately there are quite a few things that a dog can get into that can be dangerous to their health, and some are things you wouldn’t even think could cause harm!
March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month, and we’re here to share poison prevention tips for dogs that you should keep in mind in your home.
5 Poison Prevention Tips for Dogs to Keep Your Pet Safe
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Know what foods can be poisonous
Most dog parents are aware of the dangers of chocolate to a dog, but that isn’t the only food you have to worry about! Grapes and raisins can cause kidney injuries, raw bread dough can be fatal, macadamia nuts can cause vomiting and weakness, and onions and garlic can be poisonous in large quantities. Even avocado isn’t safe – it can cause serious health problems for your dog! Knowing what foods are on the no-no list is a great way to keep your dog safe and healthy.
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Be cautious with cleaning supplies
Some dogs get into everything (when given the chance), and if you’re cleaning the area they eat or floors they lick, there’s a chance that they can get sick from your cleaning products. Make sure you rinse areas well after using cleaners in these areas or only use pet safe cleaning products!
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Keep medications out of reach
Be sure to leave all medications – those intended for your pet or for humans – far out of reach and locked away. Bottles that rattle or small pills can look like a treat, and it can be highly dangerous if they take medication that isn’t intended for them, or even too much of medicine that they are allowed to have.
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Put away and clean up automotive products
You may not think much about what you store in your garage, but certain products you use on your car can be very dangerous to dogs. Gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored up high on shelves where your dog can’t reach them or tug them down on accident. They’ll lick up things even when they smell bad, so be overly cautious of your storage and clean-up of these items!
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Ensure you’re using safe yard products
Dog parents know how much their pets love to sniff around in the grass and try to find yummy things to eat! Some organic fertilizers can pose a risk to your dog, including those that use blood meal, bone meal, feather meal and iron. They can cause internal harm to your pup, so steer clear of using fertilizers that have these ingredients to keep your dog safe from harm.
While all of these preventative techniques are extremely useful for avoiding any incidents for your dog, it’s also so important to know the signs of poisoning in case of an accident. The sooner you get your dog help, the sooner they can feel better! If your dog is having difficulty breathy, vomiting, diarrhea, acting more tired than usual or convulsing, you need to get him to the animal hospital immediately. While you may want to take action, it can be extremely dangerous to induce vomiting without a veterinarian’s advice. Getting them to an expert is of the utmost importance.
Knowing your resources can save your pet as well – if you know what your pet has eaten, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 for guidance. Save that number in your cell phone in case of emergency!
While it can seem like a lot of work, following these poison prevention tips for dogs is just another way you can show your love for your pet!
For more on pet safety, you may also like reading 10 Tips For Keeping Your Pets Safe.
What’s your favorite way to show your dog that you care? Tell us in the comments!
