The following types of common items are among those receiving the highest number of emergency calls by the Pet Poison Helpline. Clients may not be aware that their household contains products that can severely harm a pet.

Advise new pet owners how to pet-proof their homes, as well as the dangers of these common household items that are poisonous to pets.

Canine Flea and Tick Products: Poisonous to Cats

Pyrethrin or pyrethroid-based flea and tick products designed for use on dogs will cause tremors, seizures, and death if applied to cats.

Signs of poisoning include:

• Excessive drooling
• Agitation
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Weakness
• Breathing difficulties
• Seizures
• When left untreated, death

Make sure to remind your client that their pet will require immediate veterinary care.

Household Supplies: Poisonous to Cats and Dogs

Most general-purpose household cleaners—for example, dish detergent, laundry soap, window cleaner, and counter cleaner/disinfectants—are relatively safe. While they may cause minor irritation, they are not fatal,

However, concentrated cleaning products are highly acidic and can cause severe chemical burns and tissue injury.

They include:

• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Sulfuric acid
• Drain cleaner
• Anti-rust compounds
• Rust-removal cleaner
• Hair wave neutralizers

Contact injuries may be observed to have occurred to the eyes and skin. Ingestion will result in immediate pain and observed as damage to the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system.

Signs of poisoning include:

• Change in behavior: excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth
• Squinting
• Swallowing difficulties
• Mouth ulcers
• Breathing difficulties
• Burns
• Hair loss
• Abdominal pain

The animal will require immediate veterinary care.

Lilies: Poisonous to Cats

These plants are highly toxic: Easter lilies, tiger lilies, day lilies, Asiatic lilies, and stargazer lilies.

Consuming small parts of the plant or even the water from the vase can cause acute kidney failure.

Signs of poisoning include:

• Halitosis
• Change in behavior: loss of appetite, lethargy, hiding, inappropriate thirst, pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive urination
• Dehydration
• Seizures
• Death

Inform your clients that their cat will require immediate veterinary care if they’ve ingested lilies.

NSAIDs: Poisonous to Cats and Dogs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to control pain and inflammation. NSAIDs are commonly used to treat both humans and veterinary patients, but veterinary-specific NSAIDs are less toxic.

Cats are even more susceptible to NSAIDs. Even though veterinary-specific NSAIDs are less toxic, use of these products should be prescribed cautiously.

When ingested in toxic amounts by a cat or a dog, NSAIDs will cause severe gastric ulceration and acute kidney failure.

Signs of poisoning include:

• Changes in behavior: Loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, inappropriate urination, malaise
• Vomiting blood
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Black stool
• Seizures

Remind clients to call their veterinarian immediately if their pet ingests NSAIDs.

Over-the-Counter Medications: Poisonous to Cats and Dogs

Types of over-the-counter medications that may pose a danger to dogs and cats include cold, cough, allergy, asthma, and nasal decongestant medications. These over-the-counter medications may contain pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, and acetaminophen.

When these substances are ingested, the animal may experience red blood cell damage and liver failure.

Signs of poisoning include:

• Dilating pupils
• Vomiting
• Severe changes in blood pressure
• Severe changes in heart rate
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Death

The animal requires immediate veterinary care, so inform your clients of this necessity.
Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener commonly found in gum, candy, snack foods (gelatin, pudding), toothpaste, and oral rinses.

Ingesting small amounts of Xylitol will result in hypoglycemia within 10 to 15 minutes. Larger amounts will result in acute liver necrosis and liver failure.

Signs of poisoning include:

• Changes in behavior: malaise, lethargy, black tarry bowel movements
• Jaundice
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Coma
• Death

Inform clients that their dogs will require immediate veterinary care as soon as possible after ingestion of Xylitol.

This list presents just a few of the more commonly found household items that could seriously damage the health of a pet. Clients should be encouraged to pet-proof their home in order to remove any chance their pet can get into items that could harm them.
Offer your clients these additional tips:

• How to train puppies
• How to give your pet medication

For further information on educating clients on pet safety, contact your Covetrus representative at 855.724.3461.