Prevent at-home pet poisoning
Organization gurus can tell you all the benefits of keeping your home neat and tidy, but there’s one benefit that we care about most—it could save your pet’s life! Knowing what’s a toxic pet hazard in your home and having a designated space to tuck it away when not in use can prevent your pet from getting poisoned.
Better yet, poison-proofing your home doesn’t have to be a time-consuming, organizational overhaul. These easy home tweaks will keep all your household hazards safely out of your pet’s curious reach:
- Keep all medications (both human and pet) up high in closed cupboards.
- Label all pet medications and develop a system to communicate with other family members to avoid overdosing or double-dosing.
- Don't store food on counters or tables—it’s amazing what supposedly unreachable heights pets will reach in their quest of yummy snacks. Instead, keep food tucked away in drawers, cupboards or pantries.
- Get a trash can that your pet will not be able to open or get into. If you have a crafty pet who can open any trash container, store the trash under the sink in a closed cabinet. And don't forget bathroom trash bins!
- If you keep gum, breath mints or other sugary treats in your purse or pant pockets, don't leave these items on the floor; hang or fold them up out of reach.
- Lock all cleaning, automotive and garden chemicals securely away.
- Never use mouse or rat poison in or around the house¬—pets have a way of sniffing out these tasty poisons no matter where they are hidden!
- Never bring lilies into a cat household! These are so toxic to cats that even their pollen is poisonous. Be sure to double check all bouquets you order or receive.
- If your pet is a plant eater, check the ASPCA toxic plant list before bringing a new plant into your home or garden.
- Don't leave decorative dishes of potpourri or essential oils around the house—your pet may think it is a nice little water dish to drink from.
If you are concerned your pet may have been exposed to a toxin, call your veterinarian right away to determine the next steps. Have an after-hours question? With unlimited 24/7 Live Chat through the myVCA app, our licensed veterinary professionals are ready to answer all questions related to your pet’s health and wellness.
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