National Animal Poison Control Center Hotline
Phone Number 1-888-426-4435
This line is staffed by ASPCA personnel 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some calls may incur a consultation fee. In the event that your pet consumes a poison, try to take in a sample of the product or plant and/or the bottle or packaging that the offending substance came in. A part of the plant or substance may help aid the veterinarian in identifying the toxin so appropriate treatment can be administered. In some cases there may be a specific antidote for the poison. The packaging or container labels on many substances, especially insecticides and rodentacides, contains a wealth of information about the product as well as potential antidotes or first aid treatment that can be administered.
Top 10 Pet Poisons
Human Medications
Insecticides
People Food
Plants
Veterinary Medicines in excessive doses
Rodenticides (rat poison)
Household Cleaners
Heavy Metals
Chemical Hazards
Top Ten Human Medications That Poison Pets
Nsaids (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
Antidepressants
Acetaminophen (especially in cats)
Methylphenidate for ADHD
Fluoroucil (an anti-cancer drug)
Isoniazid (for tuberculosis)
Pseudoephedrine (found in many cold medicines)
Anti-diabetic drugs
Vitamin D derivatives (Calcitriol, Calciprotriene)
Baclofen (muscle relaxant)
Insecticides
Always read the label directions on insecticides and yard sprays to determine when it is safe for a pet to come in contact with it.
Check topical flea and tick products for species information and directions on proper application. Some are safe for both cats and dogs while others are safe for dogs only. At Barnyard Veterinary Service & Supply, we carry Frontline which is effective against fleas, ticks, and lice and is safe for both dogs and cats. However it is not safe for rabbits.
People Foods
Grapes/Raisins
Avocados
Xylitol (sugar substitute often found in gum)
Chocolate (especially dark or baker’s chocolate)
Alcohol
Coffee
Fatty or salty foods
Yeast dough
Moldy or spoiled foods
Macadamia nuts
Onions/Garlic
Plants
Peace Lily, Amaryllis, Castor Bean, Oleander, Autumn crocus, Chrysanthemums (Mums), Azalea, Rhododendron, Sago Palm, Lilies, Kalanchoe, Schefflera, Cyclamen, English Ivy, Yew, Marijuana, Pothos, Tulip and Daffodil bulbs (dogs love to dig up bulbs planted with bonemeal)
Veterinary Medicines
Prescription medications given to your pet may be toxic in too high of a dose. Follow label directions carefully.
Rodenticides (Rat poison)
May be addicting to pets and toxicity gets worse with repeat ingestion.
Household Cleaners
Keep bleach and ammonia containing products out of your pet’s roaming area. We’ve seen some severe gastroenteritis cases due to pets drinking mop water with bleach in it or from drinking out of toilet bowls treated with those constant release bleach tablets.
Heavy Metals
Lead, zinc, mercury, etc. from old paint, household siding and construction debris, old lead shotgun shot, pennies, etc.
Chemical Hazards
Anti-freeze is one of the most common chemical intoxicants. It is sweet tasting so cats and dogs are attracted to it. Animals only need to ingest a small amount (a few teaspoons to tablespoons) of anti-freeze for it to cause severe kidney damage and death.
