In honor of Poison Prevention Awareness Month here is a list of poisonous items to be aware of when we have animals around.

#1. Over-the-counter medications are one are one of the most common group of toxins pets ingest. It is extremely important to keep all medications stored in a location where pets are unable to reach them. Here is a list of over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements that are toxic.

Acetaminophen, Antihistamines, Aspirin, Calcipotriene, Calcium Supplement, Camphor, Cough Medications, Decongestants, Ephedra, Ibuprofen, Imidazoline, Naproxen, Pennyroyal Oil, Sleep Aids and Vitamins.

#2. Prescription medications for humans are also included. It is suggested to store your medication in an area that is secure and inaccessible to all pets. Child-proof means nothing to a determined dog with a mouthful of sharp teeth. Here is a list of prescription medications that are toxic.

ACE-inhibitors, Ambien, Amphetamines, Antibiotics, Antidepressants, Asthma Inhaler, Baclofen, Benzodiazepines, Beta-blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers, Corticosteroids, Diuretic, Effexor, Isoniazid, Lunesta, Methionine, Methylphenidate, NSAIDs, Nicotine, Opioids & Opiates, Thyroid Medications, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

#3. Human food can be dangerous for your pet to ingest so it is vital that you know what is not safe. I know saying no to that adorable face can be a challenge, but it could save their life. Here is a list of human food that are toxic.

Alcohol, Apples (Core and Seeds), Apricots (Pits), Australian Nut, Avocado, Bread Dough, Caffeine, Cherry (Pits), Currants, Garlic, Grapes, Hops, Macadamia Nut, Moldy Food (Mycotoxins), Mushroom’s, Mustard Seeds, Nutmeg, Onions, Peach (Pits), Persimmons Seeds, Play Dough (Home-Made), Plum (Pits), Potato (Green or Raw), Raisins, Salt, Star Fruit, Xylitol, and Yeast Dough.

#4. Chocolate is toxic to a pet and depending on the type of chocolate and the weight of your pet, it could cause a serious medical emergency. Chocolate has both theobromine and caffeine, both of which can speed up the heartrate and stimulate the nervous system. Here is a list of chocolate with theobromine in it.

Cocoa Powder (Most Toxic), Unsweetened Baker’s Chocolate, Semisweet Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, and Milk Chocolate.

#5. Veterinary products are to be handled just like human medications. They need to be stored in a proper location out of reach of all pets. It is especially important to pay close attention to the dosage you administer and follow your veterinarian’s instructions. Here is a list of veterinary products that are toxic to your pet if ingested in toxic amounts or applied incorrectly.

ACE-inhibitors, Carprofen, Deramaxx, Diuretic, EtoGesic, Firocoxib, Flea Collar (Ingested or Applied Incorrectly), Flea & Tick Medications, Ivermectin, Meloxicam, Moxidectin, NSAIDs, Opioids & Opiates, Phenylpropanolamine, Pimobendan, and Tick Collars.

#6. Household products can sometimes be toxic or dangerous to your pet. Here is a list of household products that are toxic.

Alkalis, Acids, Batteries, Detergents, Essential Oils, Firestarter Logs, Fireworks, Fluoride, Glow Jewelry, Gorilla Glue, Hand Sanitizer (Ethanol), Liquid Potpourri, Matches, Mothballs, Paintballs, Pine Oil, Super Glue, and Tinsel.

#7. Rodenticides can be extremely toxic to pets. Please always store safely away from where all pets can get to it. Here is a list of the four most common rodenticides.

Anticoagulants, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), Bromethalin, and Zinc & Aluminum Phosphides.

#8. Insecticides are often used various ways around our homes. If proper care is not taken, pets can easily ingest or encounter insecticides, which can be extremely dangerous. There are safer insecticide alternatives to be found to use around your pets. Once you have chosen which insecticide can be safely used around your pets, it is still especially important to follow directions carefully. Overdosing with “safer” insecticides can still lead to poisoning. Here is a list of ingredients found in insecticides that are most toxic.

Amitraz, Acephate, Carbofuran, Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, Disulfoton, Fenoxycarb, Fonofos, Malathion, Methomyl, Parathion, Permethrin (Do not use around cats), Propozur, Terbufos, and Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP).

Permethrin is used in dog spot-on flea and tick treatment. If you have a cat in the home do not use this treatment on your dog, find a safer alternative.

#9. Plants although sometimes beautiful to look at can often be deadly to our pets. Here is a list of plants that are toxic.

African Evergreen, African Wonder Tree, Alocasia, Aloe Vera, Amaryllis, American Bittersweet, Andromeda Japonica, Angel’s Trumpet, Anthurium, Apple Leaf Croton, Arrowhead Vine, Asparagus Fern, Autumn Crocus, Azalea, Baby’s Breath, Baneberry, Beech Trees, Belladonna, Birds of Paradise, Black Locust, Bleeding Hearts, Bloodroot, Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria), Bluebonnet, Boxwood Tree, Branching Ivy, Buckeye, Buddhist Pine, Burning Bush, Buttercup, Caladium, Calla Lily, Cannabis, Candelabra Cactus, Cardiac Glycosides, Castor Bean, Charming Dieffenbachia, Chinaberry Tree, Chinese Evergreen, Chives, Chokecherry, Christmas Rose, Chrysanthemum, Cineria, Clematis, Cordatum, Corn Plant, Cornflower, Corydalis, Cowbane, Crocus, Croton, Crown of Thorns, Cyclamen, Daffodils, Daphne, Day Lily, Delphinium, Devil’s Ivy, Dieffenbachia, Dogbane, Dracaena, Dragon Tree, Dumbcane, Easter Lily, Elaine, Elderberry, Elephant Ear, Emerald Feather, English Ivy, Eucalyptus, Euonymus, Ferns, Ficus, Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron, Flamingo Plant, Flax, Four O’ Clock, Foxglove, Geranium, Giant Dumbcane, Glacier Ivy, Gladiolas, Glory Chain, Glory Ivy, Gold Dieffenbachia, Gold Dust Dracaena, Golden Chain Tree, Golden Pothos, Gopher Purge, Hahn’s Self Branching English Ivy, Heartleaf Philodendron, Heavenly Bamboo, Hellebore, Hemlock, Holly, Horse Beans, Horse Chestnut, Horsehead Philodendron, Hurricane Plant, Hydrangea, Iris, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Japanese Show Lily, Java Beans, Jerusalem Cherry, Jessamine, Jimson Weed, Jonquil, Jungle Trumpet, Kaffir Lily, Kalanchoe, Lace Fern, Lacy Tree, Lantana, Larkspur, Leeks, Lilies, Lily of the Valley, Locoweed, Lupine, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Marble Queen, Marigold, Mayapple, Mexican Breadfruit, Milkweed, Miniature Croton, Mistletoe, Mock Orange, Monkshood, Morning Glory, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Mountain Laurel, Narcissus, Needlepoint Ivy, Nightshade, Oleander, Oriental Lily. Oxalates (Insoluble), Oxalates (Soluble), Peace Lily, Pencil Cactus, Peony, Periwinkle, Philodendron, Plumosa Fern, Poinciana, Poinsettia, Poison Hemlock, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Pokeweed, Poppy, Precatory Bean, Primrose, Privet, Queensland Nut, Red Lily, Red-Marginated Dracaena, Rhododendrons, Rhubarb, Ribbon Plant, Rubber Tree Plant, Rubrum Lily, Sago Palm, Sansevieria, Schefflera, Shamrock, Skunk Cabbage, Snowdrops, Spider Lily, Split-Leaf Philodendrons, Spotted Dumbcane, Star of Bethlehem, Stargazer Lily, Stinging Nettle, String of Pearls, Striped Dracaena, Sweet Pea, Taro Vine, Test Poison, Tiger Lily, Tobacco, Tomato (Stems and Leaves), Tree Philodendron, Tropic Snow Dumbcane, Tulips & Hyacinths, Virginia Creeper, Warneckii Dracaena, Water Hemlock, Weeping Fig, Wisteria, Wood Lily, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Yew, and Yucca.

#10. Lawn and garden products can cause serious problems if ingested by our cats and dogs. While most fertilizers are not very toxic, some fertilizers can be fatal without treatment. Here is a list of ingredients in lawn and garden products that are toxic.

Blood Meal, Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria), Bone Meal, Cocoa Bean Mulch, Herbicides, Iron, Paraquat, Mushrooms, Rose & Plant Fertilizers, and Slug & Snail Bait.

Resources:

Pet Poison Helpline

Dog Heath Guide

Pets.MD

Petcare X

AKC.org

Pet Poison Helpline (855)-764-7661 ($65 Incident Fee Applies)

DISCLAIMER: The content of this page is not veterinary advice. A few factors (amount of substance ingested, size of the animal, allergies, etc.) determine what is toxic to a particular pet. If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment.