Norfolk, VA – National Poison Prevention Week is March 20-26, and it’s the perfect time to make sure that everyone in the family—including dogs and cats—is safe from poisonous substances that lurk around our homes. Here are some tips:
– Chocolate, coffee, alcohol, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, onion powder, yeast dough, and other foods that are harmless to humans can be deadly to animals. Make sure children and guests know not to give these to animals.
– Xylitol, a sweetener often used in toothpaste, gum, and mints, is extremely toxic to animals, as are many common medications and vitamins, so store these products out of animals’ reach and where they can’t be knocked down.
– Countless hazards lurk outdoors, including antifreeze, fertilizers, poisonous plants, mushrooms (which can pop up overnight), and cocoa mulch. Protect your animals from these and other dangers by keeping them indoors and always supervising them closely when they are outside.
If you suspect that your animal has been poisoned, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 888-426-4435 immediately. For more ways to keep your animal companions safe, happy, and healthy, visit www.PETA.org.
